International Guild of Realism
Beth Flor
 

Click any image to begin portfolio slideshow.
 

Artist's Statement

My work is traditionally executed in a realistic style to conservation standards, but it has a contemporary feel due to my arrangement of form, shape, light patterns and point of view. Although I am a representational painter I do not aim for the precise reality of a photorealist, but a reflection of reality that is like a pleasant memory, a poetic interpretation of everyday. I want my paintings to look like paintings, not photographs. My aim is to transform what can be ordinary subject matter into objects of beauty by rendering the light on them. In the last few years light patterns have taken on a dominant importance in the structure and inspiration for my work. My paintings are still and serene, often "close-up", with simple design structure. I hope you feel like you want to "enter into" them. I am interested in the effects of light, but in a "glare" aesthetic (practiced by Picknell, Homer, and Eakins), light defines form rather than dissolves it as with the impressionists. Shapes and values are the dominant element of my work; I balance color and use hard and soft edges with these in mind. The relationship of the objects to the overall compositional space is also of primary importance for me. I have a wide variety of paint colors, but to create tonal unity I use a limited palette for each painting. I attempt to retain freshness by finishing as much as I can as I go, attempting to limit the amount of reworking necessary. Some glazing adds selective detail, enriches color, and softens edges. I work only under natural light and "check" my value correctness by half-light.
 

Artist's Biography

Beth Flor was born and raised in Missouri. She studied art at the University of Colorado, graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1972. She moved to the Southeast Alaska town of Petersburg with her husband in 1974. As her children grew older she began entering juried exhibits and has been accepted in over ninety exhibitions since 1995. Her work hangs in private collections across the country.

Flor is a Signature Member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society and a Fellow of the American Artist's Professional League. Her most notable exhibits include The International Museum of Art 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 El Paso, TX; The International Museum of Contemporary Masters Salon International 2003, 04, 06.and 07; Cooperstown Nationals 2000, 01,03,04,05,06,08,09,2010 & 2012; The Butler Institute of American Art 2002; National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society Exhibits 1995, 96, 99, 02, 03, 06, 07 & online 2013; American Artist's Professional League Grand Nationals 1997, 99, 2000 & 2009 and 2012; American Academy of Art Chicago 2000; Georgetown International 1998; Academic Artists Association Contemporary Realism 1999 and 2006, and the Illinois Institute of Art 2005. She had a solo exhibit including 45 paintings at the International Museum of Art, El Paso in July, 2014. She had exhibits at Cole Gallery in Edmonds, WA in 2010 and Fountainhead Gallery in Seattle in 2017. A retrospective exhibit of sixty works was held at the Clausen Museum in Petersburg AK in 2019. She also continues to participate in exhibits such as IGOR's online venues.

Flor has received numerous awards, including the Earline Barnes Award of Excellence, a purchase award, from the International Museum of Art 2009, Third Prize in International Artist Magazine's Still Life and Floral Competition 05, Grand Prize at the 68th Cooperstown National Exhibition 2003, Best Still Life 2003 at the National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society Exhibit, the Cincinnati Art Galleries Award in 2004, the Helen Longmire Memorial Award from the American Artist's Professional League 1998, and a finalist in the issue 112 of International Artist Magazine's "Favorite Subject" competition.

Flor has been included in numerous publications and books. International Artist Magazine issue 56, Aug./Sept. 07 features her article "Designing with Light", which includes a dozen paintings and a demonstration. Her work appeared in American Art collector, Jan. 2012 in an article on contemporary still lifes. She has been included in two books published by International Artist Magazine, "How Did You Paint That?" 100 Artists Paint Still Lifes I and II, each have one page features of one of her paintings. She is also published in International Artist issue 41 "Masters of the World" USA, and in issue 45 as Third Prize winner in the Still Life Competition. She is represented by Firelight Gallery in Petersburg AK.
 

Artist's Coordinates

Website: www.bethflor.blogspot.com
Email: bethflorfineart@gmail.com

Home | Artists | Exhibitions | Membership | Marketing | Workshops | Press | News | Contact
© Copyright 2024 International Guild of Realism