I offer moments of thoughtful lightness that trigger a sense of connection to self, to each other and to the planet that sustains us. These moments of lightness are not frivolous, but an antidote to the heaviness of life. It is our racist culture that has stripped us of this sense of connection in exchange for delusions of invincibility and oppressive lack of/comfort. With each piece, I am cultivating connections and strengthening the routes and bridges back to our humanity.

Nest of Nettles:

Sitting with my pioneer ancestry Leaning into the sickening knowing that my ancestors thrived from genocide... slowly I bond with this generous earth. Deeper than those genocidal roots are roots from before I was white, when I too worshiped the earth and was persecuted for it. Through the unraveling and reweaving of this nest I am shedding the layers of delusion and reclaiming my connection. As direct action, I now pay monthly rent to the Chinook Tribe that is still fighting for federal recognition.

Water Bearer:

To be as tender 
As the trees
Forgiving the books
For asking to be made
 -Andrea Gibson

The water bearer is the bringer of life, of change. Be tender through the ripples of change, deepening the knowing of both our highest and our shadow selves. Tell me, how will you feel when you are free?

When Beth was little, she asked a family friend what he was doing. When the sculptor responded, “making clouds,” she immediately knew that was what she wanted to do when she grew up too. She earned her BA from The Evergreen State College and her MFA from University of Oregon. Her material choices are vast and processes vary, but the drive to cultivate connection and shed the delusions of misogyny, white supremacy and capitalism are the constants in her work. She currently lives in Portland, OR with her wife, daughter and three dogs.