Why I write...
To me, the right image can evoke an exact moment of time or place, the way a scent can transport you back to your grandma’s house. I use poetry to investigate all kinds of things I want to know about -- a rare text of herbal remedies, the history of the Bartram family of botanists, Charles Darwin - or how to explain answering machines to a 20-year old. Poets are typically solitary kinds of people and there are definitely times when I need to go away for a few days by myself and write. But I am really inspired by collaboration as you see from my projects on the page and on the stage.
With Claire Owen, a Philadelphia painter and book artist, Sage, began as a cycle of poems that grew into a rare herbal text and grew into an artist book, broadside, and exhibition. (Description: Book cover with white haired woman viewed from the back against a snowy background, the title Sage in white cursive letters.)
Investigate Sage here. Order Sage now: |
Solace (2014)
Beth and collaborative partner Claire Owen were part of Bartram's Box Remix, a exhibition presented by the Center for Art in Wood and Philadelphia's Bartram's Garden, home of famed 18th century explorer and botanist John Bartram.
(Description: YouTube link from image above to 5 minute video about the project.) Investigate Solace here. Order Solace now:
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RetroLove (2016)
DId you date before the Internet? Before cell phones? Before answering machines? RetroLove is a collection of sweet and sexy reminiscences about relationships of a certain vintage. (Description: Book cover of 45-record album on a white background with blue and green designs. The record label that says "RetroLove".)
Investigate RetroLove here. |