A Bird's Eye View: New England Birds, Four Perspectives

The Old Schwamb Mill is pleased to announce that it will present its newest art exhibition in the gallery on Saturday, March 23 at 2:00 pm. The show, A Bird’s Eye View New England Birds, Four Perspectives, features the work of artists Laurie Bogdan, Suzette Durso, Kim Starbuck and Joanna Finnegan-Topitzer.  Each artist offers an interpretation of New England birds, using the media of collage, photography, pencil and gouache.

Arlington based Laurie Bogdan is a collage artist who uses a variety of repurposed materials in her work. She says, “Working with paper lets my imagination soar like the birds I create. I find myself looking at ordinary images in a whole new way, seeing just color and texture.”

Suzette Durso said, “I started drawing birds for my husband, who is an avid birdwatcher. I turned my focus from bookmaking to drawing birds using my eco prints as the backdrop for my birds. This new work combines my passion of doing my artwork with my love of the outdoors.”

As an artist, Joanna Finnegan-Topitzer says, “My work focuses on the biodiversity of wildlife and plants on this planet. My creative process involves exploring in nature and taking reference photos. I then come back to my studio and start with simple sketches. I paint my animals with gouache which allows me to get subtle details. It is my hope that my artwork invokes a sense of wonder and appreciation for the wild things with which we share the planet.”

Kim Starbuck has been photographing birds and nature for more than 15 years. She takes local photos of birds primarily at Fresh Pond Reservation in Cambridge, MA. She appreciates experiencing the changes of season through the birds that migrate through, and tries to add a seasonal touch to each of her photographs.

This exhibit will be on display at the Old Schwamb Mill from March 23 through May 18, 2024.