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Work Samples

Navigating-the-Grid.jpg

How do we negotiate the space where we live? We shape our environment, but it shapes us as well. These thoughts and this painting were inspired by a walk in Manhattan, with its ubiquitous fire escapes. Although a grid is typically visualized in two dimensions, the fire escapes just above the crowded streets, adding a third dimension to a compressed world. Various stairways, imbued with a sense of journey and aspiration, are utilized in all three paintings of this “Navigation” series. Mixed media with acrylic paint, altered and found photographs, altered papers. 20 x 16 x 1.5”.

Navigating-the-Night.jpg

Angels ascend and descend a ladder in Jacob’s dream. In a parallel fashion, at night we cycle in and out of REM sleep, weaving our own dreams. In this painting of the “Navigation” series, the stairways lead into the mysteries of the subconscious. I was inspired by my photographs of the ladders used in the Taos Pueblo, which allow access to sacred chambers (kivas) from above. Quotes from Shakespeare about the night, dreams, sleep and the moon are layered into the work. Mixed media with acrylic paint, altered photographs, altered papers. 20 x 16 x 1.5” .

Gifts-from-the-Sea.jpg

My quieter artistic voice brought me back to a very old passion. Ever since my grandmother took me to the Coney Island aquarium, I have been a collector of seashells, entranced by the curves, curls and colors. These mixed media collages combines found images, altered papers, acrylic paints, pastels, graphite and ink. 9x12x2” cradled wooden panel.

Leap-Frog.jpg

Sometimes good things come n small packages, with a touch of humor. Mixed media collage with vintage found images and paper, with acrylic paint. 6 x 6 x 1.5”.

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About Beth

Baltimore County

Beth Schwartz's picture
I am Baltimore-based mixed media artist as well as a retired pathologist, devotee of art history,  and aficionado of great literature.  These eclectic interests unite into a unique visual voice.  My art incorporates hand cut collage, acrylic paint, altered photographs, clay, beads and whatever odds and ends find their way into my hellaciously messy studio.  What comes out the other end is a dizzying array of wall pieces and assemblages, as well as cards and prints. Mixed media gives... more

Mexican Lottery series

Wall sculpture, assemblage - call it what you want. I was inspired by the bright colors of my long ago visit to San Miguel De Allende in Mexico, and desire to sink my hands into pure, glorious color.  Each of the hollow cylindrical pieces I have crafted from polymer clay, further embellishing  with a riot of texture and pattern. Additional components include Mexican lottery cards, beads, die, marbles, a brass stamping and additional found objects. The central pieces measure 6.75 x 6.75”, 1” deep. These are securely screwed into the linen backed base of the 10 7/8” square shadow box (1.75” deep)

  • mexican-Lottery-la-mano-close-up-center.jpg

    Mexican Lottery:  La Mano detail
    Wall sculpture, assemblage - call it what you want. I was inspired by the bright colors of my long ago visit to San Miguel De Allende in Mexico. I crafted the hollow cylindrical pieces individually from polymer clay, embellished with a riot of texture and pattern. Additional components include Mexican lottery cards, beads, die, marbles, a brass stamping and additional found objects. The central piece measures 6.75 x 6.75”, 1” deep. This is securely screwed into the linen backed base of the 10 7/8” square shadow box (1.75” deep).
  • Mexican-Lottery-la-mano-full-from-side.jpg

    Mexican Lottery: La Mano
    Wall sculpture, assemblage - call it what you want. I was inspired by the bright colors of my long ago visit to San Miguel De Allende in Mexico. I crafted the hollow cylindrical pieces individually from polymer clay, embellished with a riot of texture and pattern. Additional components include Mexican lottery cards, beads, die, marbles, a brass stamping and additional found objects. The central piece measures 6.75 x 6.75”, 1” deep. This is securely screwed into the linen backed base of the 10 7/8” square shadow box (1.75” deep).
  • Mexican Lottery: El Cotorro

    Mexican Lottery: El Cotorro
    Wall sculpture, assemblage - call it what you want. I was inspired by the bright colors of my long ago visit to San Miguel De Allende in Mexico. I crafted the hollow cylindrical pieces individually from polymer clay, embellished with a riot of texture and pattern. Additional components include Mexican lottery cards, beads, die, marbles, a brass stamping and additional found objects. The central piece measures 6.75 x 6.75”, 1” deep. This is securely screwed into the linen backed base of the 10 7/8” square shadow box (1.75” deep).
  • El Cotorro, high power.jpg

    Mexican Lottery:  El Cotorro
    High power detail of Mexican Lottery:El Cotorro
  • dia-de-muertos-lp.jpg

    Mexican Lottery:  Dia de los Muertos or jerry's Song
    Wall sculpture, assemblage - call it what you want. I was inspired by the bright colors of my long ago visit to San Miguel De Allende in Mexico. The skull and roses imagery also made me dedicate this piece to the Grateful Dead. I crafted the hollow cylindrical pieces individually hand crafted from polymer clay, embellished with a riot of texture and pattern. Additional components include Mexican lottery cards, beads, die, marbles, charms and additional found objects. The central piece measures 6.5 x 6.5”, 7/8” deep.
  • dia-de-muertos-hp.jpg

    Detail of Mexican Lottery: Dia de los Muertos or Jerry's Song
  • el corazon side view.jpg

    Mexican Lottery: El Corazon
    Wall sculpture, assemblage - call it what you want. I was inspired by the bright colors of my long ago visit to San Miguel De Allende in Mexico. I crafted the hollow cylindrical pieces individually from polymer clay, embellished with a riot of texture and pattern. Additional components include Mexican lottery cards, beads, die, marbles, a brass stamping and additional found objects. The central piece measures 6.75 x 6.75”, 1” deep. This is securely screwed into the linen backed base of the 10 7/8” square shadow box (1.75” deep).
  • el corazon.jpg

    Mexican Lottery: El Corazon
    Wall sculpture, assemblage - call it what you want. I was inspired by the bright colors of my long ago visit to San Miguel De Allende in Mexico. I crafted the hollow cylindrical pieces individually from polymer clay, embellished with a riot of texture and pattern. Additional components include Mexican lottery cards, beads, die, marbles, a brass stamping and additional found objects. The central piece measures 6.75 x 6.75”, 1” deep. This is securely screwed into the linen backed base of the 10 7/8” square shadow box (1.75” deep).

Assemblage

  • Timing the Market assemblage

    Timing theMarket Assemblage
    All the careful research in the world cannot penetrate the unknowable. This piece makes gentle fun of our attempts to predict, control and understand. Near the bottom is a reference to the stock market, the least mystical but not the least capricious of our gambles at the game of life. 16x15x2” shadowbox with antique images and objects, additional found objects.
  • Timing the Market detail bottom

    Timing the Market detail
    All the careful research in the world cannot penetrate the unknowable. This piece makes gentle fun of our attempts to predict, control and understand. Near the bottom is a reference to the stock market, the least mystical but not the least capricious of our gambles at the game of life. 16x15x2” shadowbox with antique images and objects, additional found objects.
  • Timing the Market detail top

    Timing the Market detail
    All the careful research in the world cannot penetrate the unknowable. This piece makes gentle fun of our attempts to predict, control and understand. Near the bottom is a reference to the stock market, the least mystical but not the least capricious of our gambles at the game of life. 16x15x2” shadowbox with antique images and objects, additional found objects.
  • Invisible World assemblage

    Invisible World assemblage
    The world under our noses is a world of wonder, even on the smallest scale. This piece is a miniature “cabinet of wonders”, and was inspired by my many years as a pathologist. Found and vintage objects. And yes, that is Gandhi looking through a microscope at the top. I spied that photo while I was in India. (Sold)
  • Game Boy

    Game Boy art doll
    Vintage game pieces, found objects and images adorn this mischievious art doll, plus acrylic paint. The face is covered with vintage sewing patterns. Ready to hang or to sit on a shelf.
  • Andy Boy art doll

    Andy Boy art doll
    Andy Boy art doll (sold)
  • Fractured Beauty art doll

    Fractured Beauty Kahlo art doll
    Fractured Beauty, reflecting the pain and passion of the artist Frida Kahlo. (sold)

Beth's Curated Collection

This artist has not yet created a curated collection.