from Mary Whittier
As Mother?s Day approaches, thoughts of Mother this year run especially deep and are etched by flashes, pictures, sounds, quietness, strength of Beth, who just a week ago moved beyond leaving indelible memories of her life, her work as an artist, a woman soaring a pre chosen path all of her life and those along the way, her children in particular who encouraged, often echo her color, music, quiet steps, calculated abandonment in paint and color.
My first encounter with Beth, was the return of Don from Vietnam and both were staying at 2073 Santa Cruz. I walked into the back bedroom and there stood a tall and willowy woman in bikini panties, no bra, slightly tangled hair at her shoulders, her right hand twirling a curl of a lock between her fingers. A gesture that would be recognized over and over thru the years. A quiet smile that rose with the end of her lips and cheeks almost signature of Beth and can be seen in the photo recently shared by Kimi.
She seldom engrossed in small talk, but appeared to listen and sometimes one wasn’t sure she was even listening, perhaps her art were her words because she lived on the tree tops, in the celestials of the heavens and the mind.
Her brief illness and last days and quiet passing surrounded by the full support of family both close and extended, showing no fear and I suspect quiet acceptance of the ëahead of her or perhaps resignation to the fate of the Gods.
She leaves a hugeness of her presence, a legacy to her children, her ex husband; close and entrusted friend, her loving companion Bill, a multitude of friends, the art world.
I keep hearing that her art will live on and indeed it will, but it is Beth and her spirit which live on permeating beyond her art, the love of animals, the individuality of a pioneer woman.
Her children, Kimi, Eric, Arthur are her legacy!