Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Beth Nagle, an artist based in New Canaan, CT. I’m primarily a painter but I also love to work in collage and often times I combine both. For my “day job” I design needlepoint canvases.
What inspires you?
People, nature, color, paint and shapes. I can pretty much find inspiration in anything!
What themes do you pursue?
I’m intrigued by the psychological phenomenon called pareidolia. It’s the tendency to visually make sense of patterns and random information. We recognize images in clouds, rock formations, wood grains and a myriad of other places. Da Vinci wrote about it: "If you look at walls that are stained or made of different stones you think you see in them mountains, rivers, rocks, trees, plains, valleys, and hills of different shapes. You can also find battles, moving figures, strange faces and costumes … an infinite number of things." When I paint I see images and sometimes I make them clear to the viewer, either on the canvas or in the title and others I let linger mysteriously. I want the viewer to interact with my work so sometimes I feel it is best for me not to give too much away.
Why art?
Why not? I LOVE to make things and always have.
Name some artists you admire.
Lately I’ve been really interested in Julian Hatton, Rosie Wiley and Amy Sillman. I also like hearing other artists talk about their work. I especially like the website GORKYSGRANDDAUGHTER. I spend way too much time there!
Where can people see your work?
Right now I have a two person show "Two Heads Are Better Than One" with Mary Elizabeth Peterson at the UConn Stamford Gallery from 8/19-10/1 with an Opening Reception 8/22 at 5 p.m.
About THE CREATIVES:
Mary Elizabeth Peterson is an artist, writer and mother. Here she writes about creative people adapting to almost any situation and making do with whatever is at hand to reach their goals! Know a CREATIVE in Fairfield County, CT? Nominate them to be featured.