about the artist

About the Artist
The Archives

self portrait

Hello, my name is Bess Hudson(previously Beland), though most call me Bess. I am 29 years old, married and a mother of three. I graduated in 1998, summe cum laude with a bachelors of Fine Art from CCAD (Columbus College of Art and Design). I've been practicing art all my life. My subject matter comes from my many interests that eventually filter down to my art.
I was born and raised in the state of Michigan. I love my state. To some, we have a dull history, but leave it to me to find importance in what other people do not. I'm interested in the ghost towns that dot the Upper Penninsula, remnants of the mining era. I'm interested in the old logging camps, the dunes, and the lakes. I'm interested in the old stories and those who were here before us. I always describe it as being haunting to me. All of this has been used in much of my art. Once you understand how my mind works, it all makes sense(well, sort of). Some of my other influences include nature and the most sacred of places in my life, Hocking Hills (if you've never heard of it, Hocking Hills is an oasis in the middle of the bleakest of States -- OHIO ;) I highly recommend a visit). Artistic influences include artists like Van Gogh (I love his oriental orchard paintings) and naturally therefore Gauguin. I also have passions for particular works by Corbet(funeral at Ornans), Cassat(her etchings) and Manet. Unfortunately I don't have someone to look up to who is working in the same subject matter that I do, perhaps that describes why I'm not famous.
My favorite techniques are watercolor and intaglio; watercolor because of its versitality and the intaglio because of the history and type of image you can aquire being like no other technique. Unfortunately I can no longer practice intaglio for lack of a studio. I've recently tried my hand at large pencil drawings.

Doug and I at his graduation: May 1999