Baker Artist Portfolios

The five paintings in the series Kindling/Tinder evolved from looking at the bones of plants in late fall through early spring.  Bare branches and dry brush hold the promise of new growth and seed. In an unfamiliar landscape they are place holders for what is about to come.  The bare twigs, grass, and goldenrod I depict in my series are materials that might be used to start a fire. 

Maj Ragain penned all the poems in this section although, many were his response verses, after he saw my paintings. Maj and I met while we were resident fellows at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, MA. While there, we found that our art dealt with truths about our experiences as parents revealing our hopes and fancies, foibles and failures. Whimsical and mysterious creatures, animals, toys and hidden faces, surround the boys and girls within my painted fields.

“Drawing the Universe” was presented as a mixed bill concert, featuring three artists from the Baltimore DC Metro Area: SylviDances, LucidBeings Dance, and BlueShift Dance. Because the concert was sponsored by BlueShfit, the theme of the show was based on BlueShift’s slogan, “Draw the Universe Closer.” Each piece brought a different perspective of the universe. Sometimes we studied the body, sometimes nature, sometimes the city, and sometimes outer space. Pieces presented by BlueShift included: 

Turn of the Tide is an installation/performance based work which draws on site-specific research conducted on the beaches of Cape Cod. Within the installation blue lights give the room a dim glow. One hears the faint tones of wind chimes and sees a large (approx. 13’ x 8’ ft.) custom curved wall in the rear of the gallery. On the wall a projected video of the Atlantic’s oceanic tide can be seen rising and falling, filmed from the Breakwater in Provincetown, MA. In front of the projection a performer is seated on a meditation cushion.

TORN LIKE A ROSE

…birds of the world scatter through ashen valleys—looking for the sublime…

Conceptualized by Natalie Boegel, BlueShift Dance created and presented an evening-length collection of works showcasing the creative relationships of three heterosexual couples, entitled "The Male Gaze." The men, not choreographers or dancers, created and set works on their wives and girlfriends as a means of reappropriating the male gaze. Our press blurb stated:

Conceptualized by Natalie Boegel, BlueShift Dance created and presented an evening-length collection of works showcasing the creative relationships of three heterosexual couples, entitled "The Male Gaze." The men, not choreographers or dancers, created and set works on their wives and girlfriends as a means of reappropriating the male gaze. Our press blurb stated:

Conceptualized by Natalie Boegel, BlueShift Dance created and presented an evening-length collection of works showcasing the creative relationships of three heterosexual couples, entitled "The Male Gaze." The men, not choreographers or dancers, created and set works on their wives and girlfriends as a means of reappropriating the male gaze. Our press blurb stated: