Saturday, December 1, 2012

Object Acquisition # 77-285.1.3 Magneto-Electric Machine

 Documenting objects from The Hunt Show:




Object Acquisition # 77-285.1.3 Magneto-Electric Machine
Object Interpreted and Statement by Marilyn Joyce


“I am busy just now again on Electro-Magnetism and think I have got hold of a good thing but can't say; it may be a weed instead of a fish that after all my labour I may at last pull up.”         

Michael Faraday (1791-1867) contributor to the fields of electromagnetism and electrochemistry.


Through the turn of a crank, rotating magnets generate an electric current, passing through cloth-covered wire and metal handles. The surge, an electrical force penetrates the skin, then deeper into the tissue, reaching the place of stored pain.  The buzzing sensation professed to be the magical force of the ‘cure’ pulsates through the body of the anxious patient…

This piece references the nervous system that was treated by the Electro Magnetic Machine during the mid 1800’s, my object for The Hunt. I was attracted to the types of disorders that people suffered from and sought treatment for: exhaustion due to overwork, insomnia, melancholia, poor circulation, female and male weaknesses, head pains – echoing what so many people struggle with in our contemporary culture.

The materials selected, thin paper on which a transparent print of my back rests, veils a second paper with marks built in layers, waxed and ink stained - an internal world that lies underneath, felt but hidden from view -  vibrations, agitation, short bursts, pulses, rhythmical beating -  a network of energy as it  flows through our nervous system.

As I marked, I reflected on what people may have experienced prior to treatment: vulnerability, isolation, shame and fear  -  laced with hope for a cure and the freedom of life without pain - which ultimately did not transpire with the use of this 
machine.




This image was printed from the body 
and had an amazing drawing underneath. 
This drawing illustrated the internal nature.
This photo doesn't capture the 
feeling of this image in person.




Closer detail.


Curators note:
This pieces was thoughtful and provoking into the inner workings of the human body and feelings. Very powerful.

Friday, November 30, 2012

Must follow new blog..




Sabrina Concertina a brilliant screen printer
(owner of www.poppyandmoe.com)and gallery owner 
has returned to painting and has started a lovely blog... 
I hope you get a chance to add it to your list...



Thursday, November 29, 2012

Small Pleasures Invitational 2012





November 30, 2012 – January 19, 2013 

Small Pleasures Invitational

Artists' Insight Talk: Friday, November 30, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Opening Reception: Friday, November 30, 5:30 - 8:00 pm
First Friday Artwalk: Friday, December 7 and January 4, 2013, 5:30 - 8:00 pm

ARTISTS SHOWING:

Nancy Y. Adams
Meg Auth
Janice LaVerne Baker
Johnny Beaver
Germaine Bennett
LaVonne Tarbox-Crone
Tallmadge Doyle
Jan Eliot
Analee Fuenters
Hannah Goldrich
Jenny Gray
Jozuf Hadley
Ann Bumb Hamilton
Mardee Hansen
Rebecca Mannheimer
Satoko Matouji
Miriam Morrissette
Ellen Morrow
Connie Mueller
Marilyn Odland
Hilary Pfeifer
Beth Robinson
Brooks Stone
Dennis Thompson
Jo Warren 
Shannon Weber
Stephen White
Maria Winner

I hope to see you there...

Beth

Thank you to Bev Soasey for pulling this show together!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Turkey Day




This photo is funny to me... it reminds me of a story from the farm I grew up on in NJ. Yes, that is true a farm in NJ. It's not called the Garden State for nothing. My great grandfather had cut the head off the turkey for dinner and my father flung it over his shoulder. The wings of that "dead" bird flapped for what seemed like hours and beat the heck out of my father's shoulders. I still remember thinking it was the craziest thing I would ever see. I couldn't have been more than six.

In the next year, I hope to continue to share with you in this blog the things that inspire me to make art. It sounds haute or uppity to me to say that. I was really moved in the last show by an old family friend who was able to see the work for the first time. He was near tears as he called me from the show as he said, "It is all there on the wall. Your life, family and all the laughter." It really struck a chord with me. I tend to be very secretive and mysterious about where these things come from. Or maybe it is a protectiveness.

Often the question people ask is "How do you get these ideas?"  I really don't know what to say about that other than I live and love, walk dogs, drink tea, watch people, work hard and hustle, be interested, write down my dreams, read, find and never stop learning. (& far to much facebook) But it is all there. I will try my best to share more of this with you.

I am especially thankful this year... 


I have 4 new nephews and 2 new girl cousins.
Everyone is healthy and happy.
Art is still being made
and you have supported the work.

That I am most grateful for.

I hope your holidays are filled with joy.

All the Best,
Beth



Sunday, October 28, 2012

Thank you!






Hello gentle readers,

I just wanted to say thank you for
 coming out yesterday at the 
Jacob's Gallery for my talk. 
You were a fabulous group! 

All the Best,
Beth

This is a wonderful book on the history of photo manipulation if your interested in learning more about what we talked about:



Sunday, October 21, 2012

Propeller Magazine Review




Wedding Dance



A couple of weeks ago a lovely young reporter named
 Holly Laycock came out to 
the studio for a visit and interview. 
We had a lovely time. 

This will take you to the

Thank you, Holly!




Open Sea





Saturday, September 22, 2012

Digital Illuminations @ Jacobs Gallery






This is a invite to:

Digital Illuminations

October 12 - November 24, 2012

It is a three person digital art show that includes:

Beth I. Robinson
Susi Steinitz Ettinger
Bob Crow

Opening Reception:
Friday, Oct 12, 5:30 - 8 pm

First Friday Artwalk:
Friday, Nov. 2, 5:30 - 8 pm


I hope to see you there!

Friday, September 14, 2012

Object Acquisition # 77-131.2.5 Aspirating Syringe



Documenting objects from The Hunt Show:




Object Acquisition # 77-131.2.5 Aspirating Syringe
Object Interpreted and Statement by Maria Cardenas

I was completely and utterly excited about this project, and then I saw my chosen object…excitement turned to fear. How can I find inspiration from an object that inflicts pain? 

The Brass Aspirating Syringe was beautifully crafted in 1887 - how could I not be inspired by a 124 year old piece of medical equipment? I had to find another way to fully embrace this distinctive device. 

No one I know enjoys the prospect of being injected. But it is a necessary and vital part of everyone’s life medically today, just as it was more than a century ago. How do you feel when faced with physical or emotional pain? How do you cope with it, knowing it’s coming and inevitable? 

What allows me to endure and cope during these moments – is the simple ability to breathe. This brings me great solitude, deep breathing, slow and steady.  














Curators Note: Complete Beauty... The simplicity of breath.


Saturday, August 25, 2012

Harry's Freakin Fabulous Fund Raiser





A little over 2 1/2 weeks ago, the lovely Harry Benenson was struck by a car by a careless driver while on the sidewalk with his mother and baby sister. Harry sustained injuries, including skull fractures. Harry was rushed to ICU where he spent several days in a coma and received an amazing amount of love and support from friends and family. Harry woke up, and, since then, has managed to make great strides towards recovery.

 His personality is 100% present and is as charming as ever. He continues to put smiles on the faces of those he encounters.


Harry has received wonderful care from therapists, neurologists, nurses, doctors, mom, dad, and little Rosemary. They all continue to work on understanding what brain damage may be present.

We, the friends of this wonderful family - Jessie Benenson, Ian Terrell, Rosemary, and Harry - want to do whatever we can to help the family focus on the love and kindness they share instead of the stress of the bills and missed work that the real world has waiting. Because of this, local artists, craft artists, musicians, and more to come have donated pieces of work, jewelry, ceramics to be sold with 100% of the proceeds going to the wonderful family.

SO - - - please join us on Saturday, August 25th from 1 PM - 8 PM at the Lucky Lab on 1945 Northwest Quimby in Portland for a lovely fundraiser event for Harry.

It is sure to be fun and is certainly for a wonderful cause.

If you can not attend but would like to donate money, you can visit any US Bank and give the name Harry Benenson.


This is the piece for the fund raiser:




"Harry's Thoughts"
Limited edition of 25 prints
William Turner paper and gold leaf

I'll be there with bells on...
I hope to see you there!

After the Fund Raiser
I will post the remainder edition on my web site for 
folks for are far and wide....


Sunday, July 22, 2012

Upside Down, Left To Right: A Letterpress Film


This is a short film about letterpress and one of the few remaining movable-type printing workshops in the UK, situated at Plymouth University, featuring Paul Collier. 

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Object Acquisition # 77-201.1.10 Cupping Set


Documenting objects from The Hunt Show:



Object Acquisition # 77-201.1.10 Cupping Set
Object Interpreted and Statement by: Liv Rainey Smith
www.LivRaineySmith.com

“My” object at the OHSU research archives, is a set of cups and two bloodletting scarificators manufactured by G.C. Ahlbeck, “Chirurgisk Instrumentmakare,” in 1870. Although I had seen similar glass cupping sets before (they are popular in massage), the brass scarificators were entirely new to me. 
Upon examining them, I could identify signs of their hand construction such as saw blade marks and solder lines. After some careful handling I was able to raise and lower the blade depth, cock the blades with the lever, and trigger the spring loaded action with the button. The blades passed in and out of the device so rapidly my eyes almost didn't register the movement. Although my stomach churned at the thought of being cut by those twelve rounded blades, fascination soon set in and I realized a relationship exists between this once high-tech tool and modern bloodletting tools. 
Diabetics today utilize adjustable, spring loaded lancets to draw blood on a daily basis. The purpose is different, but the mechanics are similar. Even if you've never used a testing lancet, you've likely been exposed to advertisements touting the ease and comfort of the latest model. With this connection in mind, I created my vision of a 19th century advertisement for G.C. Ahlbeck's finely crafted product.




Detail of G.C.Ahlbeck's Scarificator advert




Detail of G.C.Ahlbeck's Scarificator advert



Curator's Note: 
This piece was created by carving one wood block. She started with one color and worked her way to black. Excellent Work! Be sure to check out Liv's webpage for other goodies.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Artist Wanted





Hello Gentle Reader,

Please help get the word out...


is sponsoring an a creative competition were the 

THE GRAND PRIZE AWARD IS:
A Gallery show in New York City & A $10,000 Cash Grant

I have entered so please sign up to be a judge and collect me and others work you think should goto NYC


This would be a great opportunity for anyone...
Cross fingers here...
This is my page:



P.S. I have decided to Master the Art of the Shadow Puppet

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Adventures in Cannon Beach...

For the Cannon Beach Show,
 I was able to spent some time 
checking out the area and hang with friends.... 

Here is some exploits:


Haystack Rock from my room @ The Sea Breeze Court



Walking the Tide Pools



Hear the cannon's roar!



Super Moon...





Chasing the Super Moon with Maria!


My dear friend Sharon came and stayed almost the whole week with me...


OMG the crab was coming in...
But all the food was Awesome!




Sunset