A B O U T B E E J
THE ARTIST'S JPOURNEY
Throughout time all cultures have used iconographic images to document
and interpret their life experiences. Forward from prehistoric cave dwellers, printed images are one of the oldest methods of communication
securing emotion and experience of contemporary cultures.
I am a member of the tribe of current printmakers.
I was born in Minnesota, lived in a number of US states and traveled
extensively to fuel the programs, ideas and images I use. Through my formal training (BA in art history and studio, MA in Art History and Museum Science
and Ed D in Education) and in my professional museum life as a director and artist of prints and artist books, I use my art and aesthetic experiences
to reach all audiences. Beej Nierengarten-Smith Ed D
and interpret their life experiences. Forward from prehistoric cave dwellers, printed images are one of the oldest methods of communication
securing emotion and experience of contemporary cultures.
I am a member of the tribe of current printmakers.
I was born in Minnesota, lived in a number of US states and traveled
extensively to fuel the programs, ideas and images I use. Through my formal training (BA in art history and studio, MA in Art History and Museum Science
and Ed D in Education) and in my professional museum life as a director and artist of prints and artist books, I use my art and aesthetic experiences
to reach all audiences. Beej Nierengarten-Smith Ed D
I have been fortunate during my years in the arts to have more than
one art career. I realize that the maxim, “art is a lifetime endeavor,” is
actually true. Whether you are in a commercial or nonprofit art career,
an appreciator of the arts, a collector or participator in the everchanging landscape of achievement in the arts, or a practicing artist, art in any form
is a fascinating and worthwhile pursuit.
I have been involved in all four categories of the arts: as an educator,
second as a museum director and curator, third as a collector, and finally
as a practicing artist in printmaking. All categories enlarged my curiosity
about the conceptualizing and making of art, fed by extensive travel and
research. Then, of course, there is the matching of skill to the tools of art.
Early on, I envied those who could “make art,” but only after years of
filtering my art experiences through various careers did I come to the
conclusion that I could focus full time on printmaking and on developing
images that I thought were entirely unique.
In making prints, I abandoned many of the traditional components of the printmaking field, not the least of which is that I make unique prints, not editions, and I combine several printmaking techniques in one work. I use photolithography plates, which are nontoxic and print on a Takash press.
My printing plates are created using various images. As a rule, I use
Rives BFK heavyweight paper and Japanese papers for chine colle’.
Color is an obsession, and for each individual print, I spend hours testing
and experimenting with many different color combinations. I favor a
warm palette, but cool colors are important for emphasis. Black is
always a printmaker’s favorite, but I modify it
with white, green, blue and other colors.
Contemporary printmaking has become an echo of many noted painters,
although there are multitude of printmakers who adhere to printmaking and nothing else. For me, printmaking provides a way to follow a highway of
images through various cultures and cultural climates. I move from series
to series, frequently with the thought of returning to earlier work
if time permits. Time is the daily motivator for me because I have so
much to say and so many images to work out and so little time.
My guiding philosophy produces art that is a combination of all art
experience and the enriching aspects of life, time, and travel that make
the actual art product more informed and visually richer.
one art career. I realize that the maxim, “art is a lifetime endeavor,” is
actually true. Whether you are in a commercial or nonprofit art career,
an appreciator of the arts, a collector or participator in the everchanging landscape of achievement in the arts, or a practicing artist, art in any form
is a fascinating and worthwhile pursuit.
I have been involved in all four categories of the arts: as an educator,
second as a museum director and curator, third as a collector, and finally
as a practicing artist in printmaking. All categories enlarged my curiosity
about the conceptualizing and making of art, fed by extensive travel and
research. Then, of course, there is the matching of skill to the tools of art.
Early on, I envied those who could “make art,” but only after years of
filtering my art experiences through various careers did I come to the
conclusion that I could focus full time on printmaking and on developing
images that I thought were entirely unique.
In making prints, I abandoned many of the traditional components of the printmaking field, not the least of which is that I make unique prints, not editions, and I combine several printmaking techniques in one work. I use photolithography plates, which are nontoxic and print on a Takash press.
My printing plates are created using various images. As a rule, I use
Rives BFK heavyweight paper and Japanese papers for chine colle’.
Color is an obsession, and for each individual print, I spend hours testing
and experimenting with many different color combinations. I favor a
warm palette, but cool colors are important for emphasis. Black is
always a printmaker’s favorite, but I modify it
with white, green, blue and other colors.
Contemporary printmaking has become an echo of many noted painters,
although there are multitude of printmakers who adhere to printmaking and nothing else. For me, printmaking provides a way to follow a highway of
images through various cultures and cultural climates. I move from series
to series, frequently with the thought of returning to earlier work
if time permits. Time is the daily motivator for me because I have so
much to say and so many images to work out and so little time.
My guiding philosophy produces art that is a combination of all art
experience and the enriching aspects of life, time, and travel that make
the actual art product more informed and visually richer.