About this Event
Night Owl Gallery owner Beth-Ann Wilson spent the first 2 weeks of December 2023 creating art at the Chateau Orquevaux International Artist Residency in Orquevaux France. This show is an exhibition of work created during her time there as well as work created in her home studio inspired by her time in France.
Beth-Ann's approach to painting in France quickly evolved as she spent time in the studio there. Her plan to work on many small pieces soon was scrapped in favor of working very large. Incorporating collage elements from found objects in the chateau, from local adventures, and scraps of writing from some of her cohort, Beth-Ann sought out the less-than-bucolic passages of the French countryside. As with her work stateside, Beth-Ann draws inspiration from the everyday, the mundane, and even the ugly. Four and a half hours southeast outside of Paris, the region is know for fine wine, however the area immediately surrounding the residency was mostly agricultural and industrial.
Meet the artist and enjoy light refreshments during the Station North Second Friday Art Walk.
Artist Bio
Beth-Ann Wilson (American, b. Copiague, NY 1983, lives and works in Baltimore, MD) is an award-winning artist, gallery owner, creative entrepreneur, educator, and community organizer. Her art focuses on expressive painted portraits suffused with colorful abstractions as well as energetic landscapes and cityscapes painted both in the studio and en plein air. Scenes depicted are inspired by the places she has traveled to and explored both near and far.
Owning and operating Night Owl Gallery, a brick-and-mortar artist-run exhibition space in Baltimore, MD, has allowed her to work on projects that bring together the community, foster creativity, and nurture artists from underserved demographics. Now in its 8th year, Night Owl Gallery has evolved into a dynamic exhibition and gathering space for creatives and art enthusiasts. Having recently expanded to a 4000 square foot space in the heart of central Baltimore with the addition of artist studio spaces to their offerings, Night Owl Gallery continues to support the stability and growth of artists working in the Baltimore/DC metro area.
Wilson also teaches Creative Entrepreneurship at Maryland Institute College of Art and is an active member of the alumni community.
When not painting or working, Wilson enjoys outdoor adventures (particularly hiking and backpacking), vegan cooking, listening to audiobooks, an early afternoon IPA in a dive bar, and spending time with her husband and 2 stinky dogs.
Artist Statement
In my most recent studio work, I delve into the human relationship with identity, which has become a way for me to explore my own sense of self. Each piece features a single figure in a powerful pose, surrounded by and interacting with elements that resemble collage but are actually painted. These individuals serve as representations of various aspects of myself. I incorporate depictions of natural elements like flowers alongside graffiti and sticker art reminiscent of cityscapes. I employ contemporary iconography, interpreted through a unique painting method that combines an academic approach to painting the figure, natural objects, graffiti, collage, and print.
I aim to capture the energy and movement of urban life, infusing my work with vibrant colors, lively brush-strokes, and playful manipulation of the picture plane. Additionally, I enjoy the immediacy of plein air painting. Working outdoors pushes me out of my comfort zone, leading to experimental and instinctual decisions. I find beauty in overlooked objects and scenes, reveling in the poetry of capturing the mundane and seemingly unremarkable. There's something magical and transcendental about the process of painting—transforming pigment and polymer into imagery feels like a form of alchemy. Through my art, I hope to inspire viewers to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary and to embrace life with curiosity and the joy of observation.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
1735 Maryland Ave, 1735 Maryland Avenue, Baltimore, United States
USD 0.00
