“Pain expressed is pain released.”
In Beth Inglish’s newest series, Release, she explores what it means to let go through a process of writing, creating music and painting.
On Friday, August 1, Inglish will present a show of works on paper, works on canvas and original music at the Main Street Gallery from 6-9 PM. The art and music presentation will begin at 7 PM.
For the past year Inglish has been on a journey to heal from trauma. Through writing, music and art she has been using expression to release. In a journal entry dated April 21, 2014 she wrote, “Make the work that you’re inspired to create, but have been too afraid to make.” That insight from her writing led her to develop her newest series of work.
“I wanted to know what it would look like if I expressed my experience into paint, so I created a series of work that reflects the release I have been practicing. I was inspired by my daily journal to paint the journey my heart traveled. For months I was committed to writing in a journal to express where I was and where I wanted to go. I made a plan on how to get there — release my fears to let go and release my faith to move on.”
Inspired by Isaiah 58:8, “My light shall break forth like the morning and my healing shall spring forth speedily”, Inglish began her process every day when she woke up.
“After journaling in the morning I’d take my expression to music by singing songs I wrote about finding peace. Just through the act of performing music I felt that much closer to becoming free.”
“I began drawing on paper as a step to loosen up my arms and hands before going to the canvas. On watercolor paper I’d use graphite, crayon and acrylic paint to let my energy flow. I gave myself the space to be present in the moment allowing whatever needed to come out. This multi-step, multi-discipline process gave me the ability to step into complete creative freedom.”
The process that Inglish followed was essential to the creation of the final pieces. Every step from writing to music to painting led her in preparation to let go.
“I used my instincts and energy to lead the way, choosing colors by feeling and painting by the movement of my body. I’d reflect back to my journal entries and run my words through my head, hands, heart and onto the canvas.”
The most important elements in the work are the use of line and color. Inglish uses line to mark an action and establish boundaries between where she was and where she wants to be.
“The line creates the pathway, connecting the steps of my journey leading me from the past to the present.”
She also uses color beautifully, spreading and mixing it around the canvas abandoning control, allowing the paint to escape the brush. Inglish uses a lot of blues, she says, “Blue symbolizes faith and truth, it’s one of my favorite colors that has been present in a lot of my work since I started painting.”
During the process Inglish frequently looked to painters who used artistic expression to heal. She was particularly drawn to the work from Basquiat, Munch and Kahlo. Inglish said, “Their stories are powerful and they come through in their work. I’m inspired by these painters because it’s brave to express your inner self through paint for others to see and I can use their bravery to give strength to my own.”
“I want the audience to feel what I feel. If they connect to what I’m putting out there, then there is an opportunity for them to heal as well. If I can tell their story through my story then we can discover that we’re not alone and walk together.”
Since 2007 Inglish has been creating and selling artwork to collectors in cities around the world, by building audiences online and using digital platforms to market her work globally.
The show will be exhibited until August 28th at The Main Street Gallery and is located at 625 Main Street in East Nashville.
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