Bayberry Shah, artscenetoday featured artist

b a y b e r r y

l. s h a h

2nd PLACE WINNER

E K P H R A S I S: Art that can inspire poetry to be written about it

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CRADLE OF LIFE

soft pastel on paper

marietta, ga/USA

http://www.BayberryFineArt.com

Info@BayberryFineArt.comnfs

2250. usd

artist statement

I use a layered technique of painting. I strive for Impressionistic Realism and choose my subjects from my own photography. Using hi-res macro shots allows me to focus in on images of flowers and plants that most people are not used to seeing. Instead of just painting a typical rose bloom, I am more intrigued by the buds and thorns and uniquely shaped leaves. I hope that when people view my paintings, they ask, “What is that?” at first glance.

As an artist, I am concerned with depicting the world I know, the world I experience–both on the seen and unseen side of life. And what do I know? Drama, tension, humor, contradiction, sensuality, mythology, tragedy, beauty, ambiguity, love, and God.

bio

Bayberry Lanning Shah grew up in Murray, Kentucky (USA), a college town where her father was a professor. Bayberry excelled in art and music classes in high school, winning the Juror's award in the regional art competition for her original painting.

Despite her promise as an artist, she accepted a full scholarship in Music Performance at Miami University in Ohio. There she played in the symphony on bassoon but always found time to do art projects in her spare time.

While living in New York after obtaining her Master's Degree in International Marketing, Bayberry became active in local art groups. She produced original prints, silk scarves and jewelry for local boutiques and craft fairs.

Bayberry found a new avenue for her creative energies by using her photography to capture macro shots of flowers and then choosing the best for painting. This reignited her love of painting and she has been actively expanding her portfolio and participating in juried local and national art events. She has collected thousands of photographs of unique flowers while traveling to over 40 countries and has selected the most worthy to recreate in paint.

Bayberry lives between Atlanta, Amsterdam and Helsinki while her husband works as a consultant.

Recent Events:
05.30.10- ArtSceneToday.com 2^nd Place: Cradle Of Life Finalist: Snakes
04.22.10- The Georgia Art League Spring Salon, Gainesville, GA
03.30.10- Galleria Ferin, Helsinki, Finland
03.27.10- Marietta Museum of Art, Marietta, GA
12.01.09- American Juried Art Salon, Accepted for Intnl online competition.
11.03.09- Small Works Show, Limelight Gallery, Atlanta, GA
10.01.09- Participated in Martin Luther King mural project, Atlanta, GA
08.14.09- AFAL's National Juried Exhibition, Roswell, GA
04.25.09- Galleria Artesano, Exclusive show, Helsinki, Finland
11.10.08- High Museum High Arts Day, Atlanta, GA
10.01.08- Spring River Arts Festival, Hardy, AR
07.13.08- Bioneers Charity Fundraiser, Atlanta, GA

Artist Associations:
High Museum Arts Partners
Atlanta Fine Arts League
Atlanta Artist Center

ArtSceneToday Q&A

Q: Where do you see yourself in the art scene today?

A: I am an emerging artist. I have refocused my artistic energies into painting in the last four years and am now just reaching my stride. I will soon have a significant enough body of work to take to the national level.

Q: What is in your inspiration?

A: I have a limitless curiosity when it comes to nature. Everywhere I go, I'm on the lookout for unusual forms.

Q: What are your challenges?

A: My husband and I travel quite a bit due to his job so I have to haul around canvases on airplanes a lot of the time.

Q: How did you/do you choose your medium?

A: I was happy using acrylic for a long time. The fast drying time was useful for the thin layers I like to use. However, due to the demand for oils, I thought I would try a few flowers. Now I'm hooked. In some ways, you can paint faster with oils since you can blend colors so easily.

Q: Which artist has influenced you the most?

A: I love the Dutch masters and especially Vermeer. His "View of Delft" is so luminous. However, I'm particularly drawn to the pre-impressionists. Artists like Emile Friant were called Realists but he only kept the subject in sharp focus while the background was more impressionistic. Most of the artists in this style aren't well known. When I come across a painting with the qualities I admire, it literally takes my breath away. I've found them in Finland, France, Russia and Poland.

OTHER WORKS

See EKPHRASIS Exhibition