Betsy Chaffin works in a variety of forms from two dimensional drawings, paintings, collages and photographs to three dimensional sculpture. She is drawn to nature and to man’s place and relationship in it. She lives and works on Spring Island, SC.

Observations about the work. . . January, 2006

I found the marsh wren nest in the marsh near my house. The nest was built with the spartina (marsh grass) and it was actually attached to the living stalks. The nest was empty, the young had fledged. I was attracted to the ovoid form and opening hole. Up close the weaving of the grasses appeared quite chaotic: a random maze of different width strips of dried spartina. There was a delicate balance to its construction---each blade of grass was placed with intention, with a sense of purpose.

I began drawing the nest using sumi ink, sticks, and brushes. The nests were drawn first from direct observation and later from memory.

The nest itself is a powerful, rich image. My drawings and paintings are an extended metaphor for home and relationship. They are a visual investigation into memory and feeling about the cycle of life and the tension that exists between safety and fragility, family and oneness (being alone), construction and deconstruction, love and grief, living and dying.

Art is a dialogue with my self and with the materials. It is a process of self-discovery. I am attracted to the exploration of working with visual materials and never being quite sure what is going to evolve, what the final product will be.

see more of Betsy Chaffin's work