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Of Plants and Pattern;

Paintings by Lisa Beerntsen

 

Statement

 

In general, my work proceeds from one piece to the next in response to the art-making process itself, much more than it is driven by subject matter or narrative.  That said, my underlying inspiration generally goes back to nature, most specifically the botanical world, as an endless source of fascination. Whether they be plants in the wild, or in my garden, or more recently indoor plants, plant forms and their parts, (whether abstracted or more realistic) frequently emerge. I’m interested also in the human desire to see and create pattern.  I sometimes weave this more structured regularity together with the more random organic qualities of plants.

 

I’ve somewhat recently begun to work in ceramics as well, and create plant-like outdoor spires (totem-pole style), that in turn have inspired such forms to appear in my paintings. One thing leads to another.

 

In some of the most recent work in this show, I’ve taken great pleasure in re-visiting re-working, and repurposing earlier works on paper. It seems to harken to a concept of impermanence in the flow of life and art. There is a phrase that sometimes goes through my mind in the studio that I’ve attributed to Picasso, though I can’t actually seem to track it down. It goes “I don’t imitate nature, I work like her.”  Though this sounds kind of pretentious, and certainly does not always apply, I like the sentiment.

 

This show is dedicated to the memory of my parents, all of whom (father, mother, & step-father) I’ve lost recently. Lovers of nature, from the worlds of both science & poetry, I like to think those passions of theirs may mingle in me.