Beth Kokol Maker

While I am in Florida, my husband and I often go out on our kayaks and fishing boat very early in the morning or at sunset. When in the woods in North Carolina, we often stumble on some of the most breath taking color and views one can imagine. I find great peace and serenity in nature. The ever changing world of land and seascape continue to inspire me.

Construction and change are part of life especially for me the last 18 months. If it wasn’t roads or environment it was my perspective on life, specifically how my work fits in that. During hunting season, I wear bright orange when walking through the woods of our new home as a safety precaution. The influx of Fluorescent orange has given me the opportunity to address color in a whole new way. Fluorescent orange is very strong and has a huge impact on everything around it because it is so reflective.

The acrylic paintings on view here are titled” Big babies”, often loud and out of control. Acrylics skins have a wonderful transparency and flexibility that makes them the perfect medium for working to create composition and texture.

I use Acrylic paint that is dry as a collage element.

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This series came as a result of my acrylic skins which at times are mounted between plexi. The challenge was that I could not reasonably make skins in large scale and ship them in two sheets of pleix glass. In a world where folks are always on the move, I thought it would be wonderful to have large paintings in a scroll type form that could be rolled up and move with great ease. Mylar is an translucent archival material that is extremely durable,light weigh and is a great support for Acrylic painting.

At times these paintings have a bolder side and a softer side, something I have tried to continue to maintain. This give the viewer the option to flip the painting according to the mood they wish to have in the environment. Many of these can be hung traditionally on the wall or in front of a window or as a room divider. This again address the idea that no matter where the piece reside , there should always be a spot for it.

As you scroll down you will see a collage of the piece below. This give you the chance to see a portion of each painting right next to each other.

Acrylic skins are created by applying paint to a surface other than canvas. Once the painting is finished, it is removed from the original surface . These transfer either to paper where I might add more paint, or I sandwich the painting between sheets of Plexiglas giving the viewer the option of both sides of the painting, much like stained glass. These skins are also used as a collage element as seen in the Babies collection found here on the website

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Printmaking was my first love. As a result I have always had an affinity for beautiful paper. There is something about the feel of natural fiber. I first became interested in paper making at Penland School of Crafts. I quickly fell in love with pigmented paper pulp and continue to use this process  as another avenue for my painting practice. I also make paper to be used as a collage element with other papers,fabrics and suedes.

These pieces represent on over view of pieces that have sold and have been added to collections over the past few years. For further images in collections please contact Beth