Welcome to my friend Bethanne Hill's studio. She's lived just blocks from me for years, and I've heard wonderful things about her for so long, but she and I just connected through Facebook in the last few months. She is one fabulous artist but she's more than that. Bethanne is a tireless advocate for Avondale Elementary, Avondale Park and our city. She's funny, compassionate, thoughtful and just a sweet, gentle soul. Lately, she's been kind enough to include me on some exciting neighborhood field trips and we've had some big fun!
Yesterday I visited her little studio behind her home in Forest Park. I sat on a stool while she put the finishing touches on this family pew, commissioned by friends. We talked about how she got started, what inspires her ( aborigine art) and "the process". I'm a frustrated painter, so I always want to know the dirt on that. She painted, and we talked and occasionally I had to stop to take a few shots of her hilarious dogs. You will have to come back another day to see them!