Beth Munro's paintings are intricate amalgamations of various materials, including tissue paper and woodblock prints, resulting in a cut and layered appearance. Her artistic inspiration draws from a wide spectrum, ranging from the impressionist works of Paul Cézanne and the abstract creations of Willem de Kooning to the Fauvist paper cut-outs pioneered by Henri Matisse and the historical quilts crafted by the women of Gee's Bend in Alabama. Beth Munro's paintings, whether depicting still life, landscapes, or abstract forms, consistently emphasize pattern, color, and texture.
While Munro is inspired by art history as well as her surroundings, she is constantly in search of new ways to create. This combination of inspiration and innovation give her work a feeling of both familiarity and discovery. When she began her artistic journey, her focus was mainly on creating still life artworks. Although she does continue to paint in that style, her artworks have become gradually more abstract while holding on to certain formal elements of her original style. The same black and white checker-pattern that once lined the edges of dishes in a still-life have now grown into defined, abstracted shapes.
Munro’s palette is unique to her work and acts as a common thread as the subject matter evolves. The interaction of color, pattern, texture, and form creates a harmonious rhythm.
“I hope my work conveys a mood, delights the eye, and captures the whimsical nature of life.”
– Beth Munro
