1965-1985
Green Glyph, 1968
Acrylic on paper plate
9.25" x 9.25" (24 cm x 24 cm)
Catalog Number: 2.650.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
An early experiment with acrylic paint, at the studio of a friend & mentor. I used whatever surface I could find.
Untitled Female Form, 1965
Paper collage
11.75" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: 2.640.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
It wasn't until years later that I recognized the significance of this form, unconsciously rendered in junior high school.
Blue Hand, 1967
Crayon on colored paper
11.75" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: 2.642.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
I am right-handed and my left had has been a model since I began to draw. Studies like this recur throughout the oeuvre.
Untitled, for Lonsdale, 1967
Batik on cotton
21.5" x 28" (52 cm x 183 cm)
Catalog Number: 2.643.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
Early arts & crafts, made in the studio of a neighbor who became an important mentor and model.
Trees in the Sun, 1968
Linocut
9.5" x 5.6" (24 cm x 14 cm)
Catalog Number: 2.643.05
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
Probably a school class assignment
Fruit & Leaf Pattern, 1967
Linocut
8" x 8" (20 cm x 20 cm)
Catalog Number: 2.643.06
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
This tile was used for a printed fabric border.
Little Flower, 1967
Gouache on paper
11" x 8.5" (28 cm x 22 cm)
Catalog Number: 2.647.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
A little piece that surprised me with its spontaneity, at a time when I was concerned with developing formal techniques.
1/18
Drawings in this period were done entirely from observation; media were unsophisticated.
.
TEXT / IMAGES
1960s | Teenage Work
1965 - 1985 | Sketchbook Portraits & Figure Study
Portrait of Mia, 1975
Graphite on paper
12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.752.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Self Portrait by Lamplight, 1976
Graphite on paper
11.5" x 9" (29 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.761.01
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
While in a cabin in the woods, drawn after dark using a mirror; the dramatic lighting was from two kerosene lamps.
Annie in Maine, 1975
Graphite on paper
12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.750.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Girl in Maine, 1976
Pen on paper
13.75" x 17" (35 cm x 43 cm)
Catalog Number: AP01SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
My shoe, my foot, 1976
Crayon on paper
14" x 17" (36 cm x 43 cm)
Catalog Number: AP04SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
This was a period when I used what models were at hand, including myself.
Cubist Foot, 1977
Graphite on paper
17" x 14" (43 cm x 36 cm)
Catalog Number: AP10SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
I barely knew what cubism was when I drew this. It was just an expansion of close observation.
Self-portrait with Psychiatric Inferences, 1981
Graphite on paper
14" x 11" (36 cm x 28 cm)
Catalog Number: AQ06SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
Illustration of some dream sequence.
The Sunday Paper, 1975
Graphite on paper
12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: AT02SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Sleeping Man, 1975
Graphite on paper
12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: AT10SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Self Portrait, 1976
Pen on paper
12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: AT05SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
A manifestation of moods.
Self Portrait, 1976
Graphite on paper
12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: AT07SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Self Portrait, 1976
Graphite on paper
12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: AT11SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Self Portrait, erased, 1976
Graphite on paper
12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: AT13SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
Whether from self-consciousness or to make a statement, I took the eraser to a portion of this image.
Annie at Little Moose Pond, 1975
Graphite on paper
12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: AT15SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
Figure Study, 1977
Charcoal on paper
14" x 17" (36 cm x 43 cm)
Catalog Number: AP15SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Figure Study, 1977
Charcoal on paper
17" x 14" (43 cm x 36 cm)
Catalog Number: AP18SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Figure Study, 1977
Charcoal on paper
17" x 14" (43 cm x 36 cm)
Catalog Number: AP22SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Figure Study, 1977
Charcoal on paper
17" x 14" (43 cm x 36 cm)
Catalog Number: AP23SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
5/18
I used what figures were available, usually myself (in the mirror) or friends and family who were willing to sit for me. I had not yet begun to work with photographs.
.
TEXT / IMAGES
1965 - 1985 | Sketchbooks
Crabapple, 1973
Ink on paper
12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.733.01
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Kitchen Still Life, 1973
Ink on paper
12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.733.02
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Holly's Kitchen, 1973
Ballpoint on paper
12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.733.04
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Maia, 1973
Graphite on paper
11" x 14" (28 cm x 35 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.734.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Samantha, 1973
Pen on paper
11" x 14" (28 cm x 35 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.734.02
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Studio Still Life, 1981
Graphite on paper
14" x 11" (36 cm x 28 cm)
Catalog Number: AQ05SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Pineapple, 1975
Graphite on paper
12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.760.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Canteloupe and Lantern, 1976
Graphite on paper
12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.761.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Maine Kitchen, 1976
Ink on paper
11" x 14" (30 cm x 36 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.762.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Private Collection
.
Spirea, 1973
Ink on paper
11" x 9" (29 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.769.01
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Grass Seed, 1973
Ink on paper
11" x 9" (29 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.769.02
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Eyeglasses, 1975
Graphite on bristol
8.25" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.771.05
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
One of several renderings I have made of eyeglasses. This same pair plays a central role in one of the "white" paintings of 2017.
Night Driving, 1975
Ink on paper
8.3" x 5.5" (21 cm x 14 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.771.07
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Grapefruit Blossom, 1977
Graphite on paper
14" x 17" (26 cm x 43 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.774.02
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Laundry Basket with Shoes, 1979
Ballpoint on paper
11" x 8.5" (28 cm x 22 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.889.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Cigarete Butt, 1977
Graphite & watercolor on paper
14" x 10.5" (36 cm x 27 cm)
Catalog Number: AP00SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Soap on a Towel, 1977
Charcoal & watercolor on paper
14" x 17" (36 cm x 43 cm)
Catalog Number: AP05SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Camay (brown), 1977
Graphite & watercolor on paper
7.75" x 7.25" (20 cm x 18 cm)
Catalog Number: AP07SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Pencil Sketch, 1976
Graphite & watercolor on paper
17" x 14" (43 cm x 36 cm)
Catalog Number: AP08SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Banana, 1977
Graphite on paper
17" x 14" (43 cm x 36 cm)
Catalog Number: AP27SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Key Ring, 1976
Graphite & watercolor on paper
7" x 8.5" (18 cm x 22 cm)
Catalog Number: AT23SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Samantha, 1976
Graphite on paper
14" x 17" (36 cm x 43 cm)
Catalog Number: AP09SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Palm Trees, 1977
Graphite on paper
17" x 14" (43 cm x 36 cm)
Catalog Number: AP11SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Siberian Iris, 1976
Graphite on paper
11.5" x 6" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: AT17SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Walnut & Hard candy, 1980
Graphite on paper
11" x 14" (28 cm x 36 cm)
Catalog Number: AQ08SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Boots & an Ovoid Form, 1979
Ballpoint on graph paper
11" x 8.5" (28 cm x 22 cm)
Catalog Number: AU01SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Red Boots, 1979
Red crayon on graph paper
11" x 8.5" (28 cm x 22 cm)
Catalog Number: AU02SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Three Chairs, 1977
Graphite on paper
14" x 17" (36 cm x 43 cm)
Catalog Number: AP29SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet, 1976
Ink on paper
17" x 14" (43 cm x 36 cm)
Catalog Number: AP03SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
A deconstructed alphabet, playing with limits of recognition.
Middle Cabin, Hellgate, 1972
Ink on paper
9" x 11.5" (23 cm x 30 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.200.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alder Brook Cabin, DOC, 1972
Ink on paper
9" x 11.5" (23 cm x 30 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.201.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Hellgate Falls, 1972
Ink on paper
9" x 12" (23 cm x 30 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.201.01
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Pipsissewa in a Vase, 1973
Graphite on paper
14" x 11" (35 cm x 28 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.730.01
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Dogwood Blossom, 1973
Graphite on paper
4.5" x 4" (11.5 cm x 10 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.730.02
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
18/18
This exploratory work is characterized by the struggle between obsessive detail and the desire to loosen up. I was using objects at hand and starting to work from the imagination as well as direct observation, trying to reconcile the limitations of various media with the requirements of accurate description.
These still life studies were never very elaborate; often simply what was in front of me, random objects, sleeping animals, food and nature. Drawing it was a way of seeing it.
TEXT / IMAGES
1977 | Synaesthetic Alphabet
Alphabet Book—A, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 mm x 17 mm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.01
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—B, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.02
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—C, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.03
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—D, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.04
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—E, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.05
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—F, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.06
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—G, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.07
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—H, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.08
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—I, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.09
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—J, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.77310
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—K, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.11
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—L, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.12
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—M, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.13
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—N, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.14
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—O, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.15
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—P, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.16
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—Q, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.17
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—R, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.18
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—S, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.19
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—T, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.20
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—U, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.21
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—V, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.22
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—W, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.23
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—X, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.24
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—Y, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.25
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Alphabet Book—Z, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.75" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.773.26
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
18/18
I became aware of my synaesthesia (ordinary grapheme-color type) in elementary school and made some early, but insubstantial attempts to quantify it. These small watercolors done in my twenties are the first systematic record; and although they were done with limited means, are fairly accurate in that they introduce subsidiary colors that enhance the subliminal impression.
This alphabet has remained consistent all my life.
TEXT / IMAGES
1970s | Drawing, Painting & Collage
Transparency Study, 1979
Collage
8.4" x 9.6" (21 mm x 24 mm)
Catalog Number: 3.874.01
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
An instructive attempt at the illusion of transparency, using completely opaque means.
Black & White Study, 1977
Collage
12.5" x 12.5" (32 cm x 32 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.876.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Model for Form Study, 1977
Cardboard & gesso
11" x 14" (28 cm x 36 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.877.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
This little monochrome maquette became the basis for a color study.
Form Study, 1977
Collage
12.5" x 20" (32 cm x 51 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.877.01
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
The requirement to use found paper collage forced a break away from habitual solutions in rendering light & shade.
Color Study, 1977
Collage
12.5" x 12.5" (32 cm x 32 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.875.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Self-portrait, 1977
Collage
15" x 12" (37 cm x 31 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.878.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
Self-portrait using found paper scraps.
Materials Study 2, 1977
Distemper on cardboard
17.5" x 13" (45 cm x 33 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.880.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
An important discovery was the purity of the pigments when used in distemper medium.
Materials Study 3, 1977
Encaustic on panel
16.5" x 12" (42 cm x 30 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.881.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Materials Study 1, 1977
Casein on cardboard
9" x 13" (23 cm x 33 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.879.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
The Copper Bowl, Materials Study 4, 1977
Egg & oil emulsion on linen
14" x 10" (36 cm x 24 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.882.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
Made as a practice piece for an art school "materials" class. As crude & disappointing as it is, it demonstrated the seductive qualities of illusion using oils. My methods have become my own over the years, but it all goes back to this little piece.
2-D Design Exercise, 1977
Watercolor & india ink on bristol
14" x 9" (36 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.883.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Untitled Pattern, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8" x 6" (20 cm x 15 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.885.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Untitled Pattern, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
9.4" x 7" (24 cm x 18 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.886.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Columns, 1977
Watercolor on paper
6" x 4.8" (15 cm x 12 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.886.01
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
Exploring illusion with the simplest of means.
Blue Grid, 1977
Watercolor on paper
3.4" x 3.4" (9 cm x 9 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.886.02
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
J.P. Bathroom, 1979
Colored pencil on paper
12" x 8" (30 cm x 20 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.889.01
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
Indulging in nostalgia by drawing places I have lived.
J.P. Window, 1978
Conté on paper
24" x 18" (61 cm x 46 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.889.02
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Common Buckeye Butterfly, 1979
Embroidery on denim
3.5" x 4.5" (9 cm x 11 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.889.06
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Cranberries, 1979
Ink on paper
2.3" x 7.4" (6 cm x 19 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.890.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
My day jobs have occasionally involved illustration tasks.
Job-hunting, 1977
Collage
14" x 17" (36 cm x 43 cm)
Catalog Number: AP12SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
Collage has always been a way for me to shake out issues of control in expressing emotion or psychological issues.
Not the best day I ever had..., 1977
Ink on paper
14" x 17" (36 cm x 43 cm)
Catalog Number: AP13SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
One of a series of drawings obviously influenced by collage.
Bouquet, 1976
Ink on paper
12" x 8.3" (30 cm x 21 cm)
Catalog Number: AT25SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Anxiety Erupting, 1976
Ink on paper
10" x 8" (25 cm x 20 cm)
Catalog Number: AT42SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
An example of "automatic" drawing.
Anxiety All-over, 1976
Ink on paper
12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: AT40SK
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Strange Fruit, 1973
Acrylic on paper
8.5" x 12" (22 cm x 30 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.730.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Aztec Sun, 1974
Acrylic on paper
11" x 14" (28 cm x 36 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.740.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Sun in a Field, 1974
Acrylic on paper
14" x 11" (26 cm x 28 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.741.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Maine Cabin, 1976
Gouache on paper
14" x 11" (36 cm x 28 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.763.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Maine Woods, 1976
Ink on paper
11.5" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.764.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Astronomy, 1976
Acrylic on masonite
34.5" x 24" (88 cm x 61 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.766.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
.
Untitled, 1976
Acrylic on masonite
36" x 48" (91 cm x 122 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.767.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
.
Pears, 1976
Watercolor on paper
10" x 11.3" (26 cm x 29 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.768.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
A simple still life, most likely made for an art school admission portfolio.
Rainbows, 1976
Silkscreen collage
24" x 24" (61 cm x 61 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.770.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
In this project I exploited the silkscreening skills I had acquired several years before at my aunt's studio. This and the subsequent work used the same screens with different inks. I believe it was part of an art school admission portfolio.
Honeycomb, 1976
Silkscreen collage
17" x 30" (43 cm x 76 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.771.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
.
Odd Bird, 1976
Inks on cardboard
5" x 7.75" (13 cm x 20 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.771.06
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Nightmare: the Bad Nurse, 1975
Inks on paper
8.3" x 5.5" (21 cm x 14 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.771.08
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
From a sketch diary
Trying to Draw, 1975
Inks on paper
8.3" x 5.5" (21 cm x 14 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.771.09
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
From a sketch diary; most likely while trying to put together an art school admission portfolio.
Dazed & Confused—a self portrait, 1975
Inks on paper
8.3" x 5.5" (21 cm x 14 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.771.10
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
From a sketch diary
Cartoon, 1977
Watercolor & ink on paper
8.5" x 6.8" (22 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.771.11
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Under the Ice, 1976
Collage
14" x 11" (36 cm x 28 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.772.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Untitled, 1977
Collage
5" x 5.75" (13 cm x 15 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.874.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
18/18
Much of the work of this period was experimental, influenced by ideas I had picked up in my brief few weeks in an art school, where I was introduced to various unfamiliar methods and materials.
School didn't work out for a number of reasons, so I quit and took a design job at a local museum where I learned and practiced immeasurably more than the school experience had to offer.
TEXT / IMAGES
1979 - 1982 | California
Fireplug, 1980
Watercolor on paper
8" x 12" (20 cm x 30 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.003.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
The reflections in the polished brass contain a self-portrait with camera.
Arizona Gas Station, 1979
Watercolor on paper
8" x 12" (20 cm x 30 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.900.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
A scene from travels across the Western states.
Mrs. Sears' Ballroom, 1979
Watercolor on paper
12" x 8" (30 cm x 20 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.901.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Private Collection
.
Secret Hiding Places, 1979
Watercolor on paper
12" x 8" (30 cm x 20 cm)
Catalog Number: 3.902.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
My parents' house.
Florida House, 1980
Watercolor on paper
8" x 12" (20 cm x 30 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.001.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Peter in Portland, 1980
Watercolor on paper
8" x 12" (20 cm x 30 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.002.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
San Diego Carousel, 1981
Oil on canvas
24" x 36" (61 cm x 91 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.104.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
Perhaps the first oil painting.
Pocketbook, a self-portrait, 1981
Oil on canvas
24" x 36" (61 cm x 91 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.105.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Private Collection
A very early oil painting, obviously photo-based.
Valentine self-portrait, 1981
Colored pencil on paper
12.5" x 9.75" (32 cm x 25 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.100.02
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Private Collection
.
Tom in Portland, 1981
Oil on canvas
24" x 18" (61 cm x 46 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.106.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Dawn: Houses, 1981
Watercolor on paper
4.9" x 5.4" (12 cm x 14 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.107.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Private Collection
.
Day: Houses, 1981
Watercolor on paper
4.4" x 7.6" (11 cm x 19 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.108.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Private Collection
.
Dusk: Houses, 1981
Watercolor on paper
4.9" x 5.4" (12 cm x 14 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.109.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Private Collection
.
Backyard 2nd Street, 1981
Colored pencil on paper
8.75" x 11.75" (22 cm x 30 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.110.01
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Rose & Lily, 1981
Oil on canvas
24" x 18" (61 cm x 46 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.120.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
.
Sailboat, 1981
Red crayon on paper
8.25" x 6.9" (21 cm x 17 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.125.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
A Pair of Pumps, 1981
Graphite on bristol
4" x 6" (10 cm x 15 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.119.01
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
A small illustration project in various media.
Hot Pink Pumps, 1981
Watercolor on bristol
3.75" x 4.5" (10 cm x 12 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.119.02
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Rainbow Pumps, 1981
Colored pencil on paper
3.75" x 4.6" (10 cm x 12 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.119.03
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
2nd Street Window, for Bob Anderson, 1981
Colored pencil on paper
12" x 16" (30 cm x 41 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.110.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
Heaped up California beach detritus. This drawing turned out to be a precursor of the "Rust" paintings in New York a few years later.
18/18
Moving to California, from the East Coast where I had grown up, marked a significant change in my art practice.
I began to accept the idea of working with photographs as a basis for image-making. It solved the big problem of fidelity in rendering an image, and allowed greater freedom to experiment.
TEXT / IMAGES
1982 - 1985 | NYC
The Lace Collar, 1985
Oil on canvas
21" x 20" (53 cm x 50 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.550.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Hammond Street, 1984
Oil on canvas
64" x 48" (163 cm x 123 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.440.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Private Collection
A self-portrait with my sister-in-law.
Three Graces (altered state), 1983
Oil on canvas
32" x 40" (81 cm x 102 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.330.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
This painting underwent many metamorphoses before I finally abandoned it unfinished. It was an important learning piece nonetheless
Study for Three Graces, 1983
Graphite on paper
18" x 32" (46 cm x 81 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.225.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Study for Hammond Street, 1983
Graphite on paper
24" x 18" (61 cm x 46 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.224.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
This graphite study still shows the use of traditional grid layout at a time when I was beginning to work with photographs for expedience.
Eddyville, 1983
Graphite on paper
24" x 36" (61 cm x 91 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.220.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
Tom in Chinatown #1, 1985
Graphite & conté on paper
36" x 30" (91 cm x 76 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.520.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
In the Catherine Street loft
Tom in Chinatown #2, 1985
Graphite & conté on paper
36" x 30" (91 cm x 76 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.521.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
In the Catherine Street loft
Tom in Chinatown #3, 1985
Graphite & conté on paper
36" x 30" (91 cm x 76 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.522.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
In the Catherine Street loft
Tom in Chinatown #4, 1985
Graphite & conté on paper
36" x 30" (91 cm x 76 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.523.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
In the Catherine Street loft
Aerial View Kansas #1, 1983
Watercolor on paper
5.9" x 5.5" (15 cm x 14 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.310.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Aerial View Kansas #2, 1983
Watercolor on paper
5.9" x 5.5" (15 cm x 14 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.310.01
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Chinatown Peppers, 1982
Watercolor & colored pencil on paper
7.5" x 7" (19 cm x 18 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.210.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist •
.
Annie at Christmas, 1983
Ink on paper
14" x 9.5" (36 cm x 24 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.226.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
The Perfect Student, 1983
Graphite on paper, collage
24" x 18" (61 cm x 46 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.225.01
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
This is an early version of a self-portrait I have revisited for decades. It deals with issues of maturity and coming into one's own. For this reason, it will probably never be completely realized.
Martha, 1988
Oil on canvas
36" x 30" (91 cm x 76 cm)
Catalog Number: 4.448.00
©Agnes de Bethune, All Rights Reserved
Collection of the Artist
.
18/18
New York was the place where the serious painting began. I supported myself with freelance work as a graphic designer, which sometimes influenced my choice of medium
or style. But on the whole, my art was developing its own trajectory.
No one can live in New York City without feeling its inexorable influence, particularly
if you are an artist. The art "scene" at the time was as exhilarating and disorienting as it
will always be. What effect being in the city had on my studio practice is immeasurable:
the cautious provincialism began to fall away.
TEXT / IMAGES