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Beth E Peterson
c/o Cattails Publishing LLC
484 Williamsport Pike #261
Martinsburg, WV 25404
USA
240-527-0900

Text and Artwork:
Copyright © 2008 Beth E Peterson.
All rights reserved.

Animals have always had a special place in my life. I grew up roaming the woods and pasture lands of rural Pennsylvania. Since I was quite a bit younger than my siblings and there were no other kids around, I gravitated towards the animals in the world around me. I learned how to track deer and raccoon, rabbits and and the occasional fox. And I loved to draw them, too!

Tigers
Mixed Media   8" x 9.5"

Tigers are fascinating creatures. The male Siberian tiger is the largest carnivore in the world, weighing in at approx. 750 lbs. Now that is a BIG cat! This particular piece was inspired by a combination of the white tiger at the National Zoo in Washington DC, and William Blake's famous poem-line of "tiger, tiger, burning bright". The white tiger became the focal point; the embodiment of calm assurance. The shadow-tiger, with his normal coloration, is on the opposite end of the spectrum...actively hunting and aggressive. It is, not to put too fine a point on it, a commentary on our own human society.

Coming Out
Oil   19.5" x 50"

When I was twelve years old, my brother Gary gave me a pony. He, the pony that is, was a smart and savvy person and a great teacher and companion. Before he came to me, Dusty had been a pulling pony (a draft pony) used for the contests at the country fairs. He looked like a small Haflinger in many respects, although he was more liver chestnut with the flaxen mane and tail rather than a bright sorrel. I believe it is partially due to my love for Dusty that I have always had a soft spot in my heart for all the draft breeds.

This particular painting is of a Belgium draft horse having some fun in his pasture. The painting owes it's enlongated form to a panel just this size in my living room that needed covered. *wink* Serendipity is a wonderful thing...The enlongated space provided an interesting puzzle in composition and I was still finding my first legs with oil paints. I'd played with many different ideas, but when I simply let go and painted one of the things that I love the most, horses, everything came together and gelled. "Coming Out" was the result. The painting has been an integral part of our living room for more than four years now, and is still a welcome part of the room.

Escape Plans
Watercolor   18" x 24"

Two friends, happy to be together, romping and playing tag, "Escape Plans" is rather like that clandestine planning for the weekend when the workweek is still in progress and is supposed to have your full attention. But all work and no play is...well, it's just no fun!

*bobbing to the music* "Everybody's workin' for the weekend"...but...hey!...I have to work this weekend!!

Thbbt
Photograph   8" x 10"

Have you ever come to a place that no matter what, someone is going to give you a hassle? Well, this happened to be one of those days, I guess....lol...Really, though, I caught this young giraffe just at the right time for his comment on the world, and on all of us two-foots who were bothering him that day. There are days I simply don't think I could say it better myself. Thhhhhhbbbbt!