EXHIBITS

Art Hop June  7, 2013

Doet Boersma is a Friesian artist who was in Michigan as an artist in residence at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings from April through the first week of July. Doet is a good friend of mine –we met while we were both in Ireland at the Burren College of Art. I was there with study abroad students and she was there as an artist in residence. Below is her artist statement for her exhibition at my studio/gallery –Ninth Wave Studio:

Artist Statement

I am currently working as an Artist in Residence at the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute for 3 months. I live in a cabin located in their nature preserve and paint the beautiful wetlands, woodlands and prairies I live among and see everyday. Besides creating artwork I work with the institute’s visiting groups, helping them with field sketching and plein air painting.  I also work with the institute, itself, to assist in the development of artistic objectives.

During my first few weeks living in the preserve I walked the trails every day. The staff researchers took me to their plots, told me about trees, birds, soil, preservation and their specific research interests. I learned a lot about different aspects of nature. I asked myself ­–how was I going to communicate what I have learned through my artwork?

I started out by making small dry point engravings of birds and plants. My artwork really started flowing when I began to do paintings of the prairies. On my trail walks I was attracted to certain trees. I spent time getting to know the species better and I saw them developing characters. I hope it’s possible to see my joy in getting to know them.

Below are photographs of the artwork exhibited during Doet Boersma’s show at the Ninth Wave Studio on the June 2013 Art Hop.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.