Painter’s One-Woman Show Will Bring The Wonder

& Mystery Of Life To Booth Library; Opening Is Sunday

Award-winning Bethel painter Beverly Branch will open a one-woman exhibit, called “Waterborne,” with an opening reception on Sunday, January 8, from 2 to 4 pm, in the Olga Knoepke Memorial Meeting Room at C.H. Booth Library. The show will remain on view through January 31.

Ms Branch describes her work — 16 paintings which mostly feature children at play in surf, sand and waves — as “powerful.” A successful children’s book illustrator and local portrait artist, the imagery she paints captures the temporary moments of bubbly, green and white surf spewing over the fresh footprints of children playing along the summer shore.

The compositions, inspired in part by such 19th Century art luminaries as Degas, Cassatt and Sargent, seem to radiate the idea of a lifelong relationship between people and the world in which they temporarily live.

“It’s all water scenes,” says Ms Branch. “Children are discovering life for the first time. They’re in the moment and they’re present in the world. It’s that feeling of wonderment and excitement of catching a little creature on the beach with a string and a clothespin. Children experience that moment, that miracle.”

Another facet of her work involves the sheer force of nature itself.

“It’s emotion. It’s action. It’s intense,” Ms Branch says of the spitting foam, tumbling waves and deep, dark bluish green hues that seem to spill from her canvases.

Known by some for her unique display of large paintings in the front windows of her home, Ms Branch was educated at Paier School of Art in Hamden, and has spent years as a commercial artist. Her achievements include shows at museums and commercial galleries, commissions, juried art shows, and placements in major corporate offices such as Hartford Legislative Building, Bradley International Airport and Stamford Government Center.

Her works have also appeared and won awards in Stamford’s 2000 Cow Parade, Bruce Museum in Greenwich, and Glastonbury Arts Festival.

“Described as “…extremely well executed and mature,” by P.H. Miller Gallery of Woodbury and as an “…accomplished professional” by Greenwich Workshop director Dawn Astram, Ms Branch spends as much time as she can — 10 to 14 hours a day — painting. She is the mother of two sons, David, 16, and William, 13. Her husband, John Symon, owns Magic Bristles, which specializes in restorative painting.

Her present exhibit, “Waterborne,” was executed over the past two years, and was initially inspired by a summer vacation in Nags Head, N.C., while watching her own children “surrender to the waves.” Other pieces in the show include figures and landscapes of local interest.

“Through integration of the traditional forms of portrait, still life, and landscape, I strive to present an image to my viewer that conveys the wonder and mystery of life,” said the artist.

In addition to having this one-artist show at the library this month, Ms Branch will be one of the artists offering a free demonstration during The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown’s annual winter show, “Color in January,” which will be presented at Lexington Gardens from Saturday, January 21, until Sunday, January 29. The show offers works by SCAN members, and offers four free demonstrations during the run of the ten-day event. Ms Branch will be the featured artist on January 29.

Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 am to 8 pm; Friday, noon to 5 pm; Saturday 10 am to 5 pm; and Sunday, 1 to 5 pm. Admission is free.

For more information, call Booth Library at 426-4533.