I paint to tell a story, to capture a feeling, to have you see the world through my eyes. I use pattern, color and composition to achieve my goal, in oil paint, egg tempera, watercolor, gouache, clay and wood. I always look for humor in a situation, from the marriage of Prince Charles and Camilla to the biblical Jacob dreaming of angels riding on escalators. I often use words in paintings, both as a visual effect and as an opportunity to express additional meaning. Ordinary objects and sensations can have a transformative magic, bringing us back to a different time and place in one's life. For example, the smell of a salami sandwich in the lobby of Lincoln Center triggered a flood of seemingly forgotten memories of lunchtime in Public School 217. Everyday experiences like going to the dentist, getting a manicure, eating sushi, or visiting a shoe salon are my favorite subjects. I have studied painting, sculpture, and print making at the following institutions: the Brookllyn Museum School of Art, the Fine Arts Work Center of Provincetown, MA, The New Jersey Center of Visual Arts, The Newark Museum's School of Art in addition to a PhD in Engineering from U.C. Berkeley.
— Bette Blank
The characters I have created represent the unique and diverse ways we experience life. It is our significant experiences that mold our behaviors, perceptions and responses. My intention is to encourage genuine curiosity and open mindedness about all those around us.
— Geneva Anastasio
