Point of Beginning: In the Studio with Zoë Welsh (full artist documentary, 2023)

The documentary film Point of Beginning documents the studio practice of artist Zoë Welsh.
Framed around the creation of a large painting--the 86”x64” painting “Red River”--the film shows Welsh working on a variety of pieces, using a variety of materials like paper and combination paint + primer to achieve stunning results. Known for boldly-colored mixed-media paintings that inhabit a space between abstraction and figurative landscapes, Welsh, in a series of voice-over interviews, discusses how memory, abstraction, pregnancy, and the intrusion (or lack thereof) of the camera impact her art.
Point of Beginning is directed by artist and musician David Bernabo, who also composed and performed the film’s score on upright bass and pitched metals. Filming began in February 2023 and wrapped in May 2023. The film is produced by Pittsburgh record label Ongoing Box and Bright Archives.

[@OngoingBox]

Check out Zoë Welsh's work at www.zwelsh.com/ Bright Archives' work at www.brightarchives.com/ and Ongoing Box's catalog at ongoingbox.bandcamp.com/

[@user-sm6qu2yh4w]

Nice

[@SandraJean.]

Hi, your work is phenomenal. I have seen thousands of paintings in my life but never one has moved me to this extent. I really like the idea of ​​using a single color and varying it in several shades. Your multi-layered transparency game is magnificent. In short, you have surely understood that I like this painting.

[@gonerustic]

I was totally mesmerised by this film, the artist herself but also the art that this film is. Awesome!

[@OngoingBox]

many thanks!!

[@thelavenderbluepaperie147]

Inspirational - the music is spellbinding and sets just the right tone

[@OngoingBox]

thank you!

[@AlexaOleksa]

The thought about painting influencing your body, really madee think. I had huge art block that lasted for couple of years, and i think i started to overcome it, and this week i spent 2 days in a row in the morning painting and experimenting for couple of hours. And let me tell you on third day i had muscle pain as if i spent those hours in a gym. So, hearing this artist's thought i wondered if i should write down my experience of physical change i feel after i started to create again

[@paularoid1792]

Oh wow and I thought this happened to me because I was maybe lazy..I have fibromialgia and that's blocking me to keep going.

[@tinman0Z]

​@@paularoid1792"a download from a mystical place" I have been thinking about this recently. If I lean into it and work with it then energy just flows and the work is done and I too feel less lazy.

[@AlexaOleksa]

@@paularoid1792 i mean, i have lack of physical activity overall, vut i never thought that just painting and scetching will make me so tired, and I don't do it on big canvas just regular A3 size paper

[@helinnawang1238]

Very interesting! thank you Zoe Welsh for share your story!

[@simpleartofhealing286]

Love, love, love her work and love watching her make her work! Excellent filming also. So fun! Thank you!

[@OngoingBox]

thanks so much!!!

[@AlexaOleksa]

I love the layers and transparency over the overlayed shapes. Also it is rare i see such full on red works. Maybe because red if not my colour of choice.

[@davidpharo]

Very enjoyable thank you.

[@OngoingBox]

Thank you!

[@visionz777]

Outstanding Dave- lovely depiction of process and stellar soundtrack

[@OngoingBox]

Thanks, Tim!!

[@MrJorvik]

Wow - what an interesting artist, beautiful and inspiring works ❤

[@user-bs3zk1ne3s]

Hi Felix I love them all and I would proudly hang them on my wall. I am from Colorado USA but currently live in new mexico. I like the tree with the yellow flowers. I may try a corner someday as my collection is getting large. Again thank you for your tutorials. Anna Marquez

[@vanovum]

This was inspirational thank you ...

[@OngoingBox]

thank you!

[@user-ne7ez9yt9l]

Well done sister

[@rasikopasa8250]

Inspirador....gran trabajo¡¡

[@scarlettskies100]

Great watch ...how very interesting...loved watching and hearing the process ...thankyou

[@OngoingBox]

thank you!!!

[@Jamss-qx8mm]

Great art film she is a amazing artist as a artist myself her art is an inspiration to my art

[@howthingsaremade1745]

This is a lovely film!

[@anapaulaotero-illustration875]

Love Zoë's work! ❤❤❤

[@user-kk9xs8bp2n]

For those with access to WQED, "Point of Beginning" screens on WQED on 03/16/24 at 10pm EST!

[@archerandthemouse]

Love everything about the artists process, her studio, her work, and the film. Blissed out and making me want to get up early and relax in my studio on a rainy morning with some tea and tunes.

[@J0hnC0ltrane]

These last works are so very strong and emotional.

[@mridulaism]

So inspiring.

[@tinycuisine6544]

Where are more films like these??!!!

[@howthingsaremade1745]

For real!!

[@shellienoyes100]

Beautiful!

[@OngoingBox]

thank you!!

[@Meggiebop_]

So proud of you zo

[@user-ne7ez9yt9l]

How nice it be it came from the heart well done darling your so wonderful to me your touches is very amazing to so keep on going

[@brigittewillener7646]

Fantastic!

[@user-ne7ez9yt9l]

Monochromatic with accent and I love it

[@Consciousnessdoor]

Beautiful. And a true artist.And, we need to embracevthe feminine perspective- women have only been « allowed» to be artist for a brief part of history

[@lyndseyanne4022]

I see a lot of abstract artists using a lot of water in their painting and i love it but i had learnt that acrylic paints shouldnt be mixed with water past a certain degreee because it breaks down the paint structure and wont last (or something like that). Is this acrylic paint or are other pigments / binders mixed in?

[@kymcrowart7876]

New sub. Great video

[@OngoingBox]

thank you!!

[@mieyravn2940]

❤❤💯🐞

[@artbyshahin]

👏👏👏👏

[@veerleyers7655]

Hello i want to know what kind of glue do you use please?

[@GR-rk2fi]

Wonderful film, but music was hard to bear...

[@sublimegreen]

I wonder if the thicker paint over the wash look is oil paint and if the thinned out paint is acrylic😮

[@lyndseyanne4022]

It could be acrylic still mixed with a glazing/transparent medium or something similar

[@tinycuisine6544]

Does anyone know if she is using oils over acrylic?

[@OngoingBox]

The larger works are generally oil, sometimes with ink and sometimes with acrylic. The smaller works are acrylic but sometimes also use ink and oil paints. You can see more examples with material lists here: www.zwelsh.com/recentworks

[@user-ne7ez9yt9l]

Yes mix midia

[@user-zn3mg2sr9k]

🖼️🙏🖍️👍🎶🌞🖌️🎨

[@thevet2009]

What’s with the weird background music? Theme song to Logan’s Run?

[@naturezone6655]

Great sound track A fascinating artist.Several questions come to mind.Large studio in the country,Huge canvases(don't come cheap).Swimming in art supplies.Does she come from money?Does her art therapy business fund all this?Does husband support her?Don't mean to troll.Just curious.

[@tinman0Z]

Artists come from money and Artists come from not money and an equal measure and in-between. I liked the sound track too. It seems the two people involved in this film are worth investigating, one could integrate this magical work flow.

[@zoew7872]

hi! the artist here :) An honest good question! I actually build my own canvases from scrap wood so I can afford to create large works. I know it looks like the country, but it's actually an urban studio next to an abandoned lot! :) Don't have much money and never have, so I have to get creative with how I make the work. I also use my materials rather unconventionally and sparingly so I can stretch them across large surfaces. My husband doesn't support my art business financially, just me! I find that limitations on what I can afford when producing the work are are actually immensely helpful, and inspire risk taking and new processes.

[@naturezone6655]

@@zoew7872 Thank you for responding to my question.I apriciate it.I now follow you on IG and think of you as a mentor.I am struggling to put together a modest home art studio with limited space and $.I have sketched and done calligraphy for years,but little painting.Abstract art is what moves me.I am no youngster and if I take any longer,the art will dy in me and with me.Best wishes,Charles

[@mikaglogy]

Nice art, nice women, nice atmosphere! But... Please help me! I want to find this absolutely perfect soundtrack! Wow. Excuse me, i know that i have to be focused to her paintings, but... the music is so.... hmmmmm

[@OngoingBox]

:) You can listen and/or purchase a digital copy of the soundtrack on Bandcamp. ongoingbox.bandcamp.com/album/hsob093-david-bernabo-point-of-beginning-soundtrack

[@user-ne7ez9yt9l]

Acrilyc over oil

[@libertyblueskyes2564]

Rather than art, the technique is more like craft.

[@tinycuisine6544]

Could you please explain how "real" art is made?

[@libertyblueskyes2564]

Art is a skill of creating an emotional moment. The effect it creates goes beyond the materials used. Its truly magic. Craft is more about the materials used.@@tinycuisine6544

[@gertrudrok7172]

Deine Kunst hat mich berührt wie keine andere bisher. So viel Seele und so grosser Können! Alles gute

[@jigger358]

@libertyblueskys2564 Can you please go further and explain what your definitions are regarding “art” and “craft” . And then go on to explain how this artist’s work might be categorized as one or the other. I am not being snarky or trolling here at all. As an artist whose work often falls outside of the “Fine Art” realm, this can be a very confusing topic and definition.

[@tinycuisine6544]

@@jigger358Don't expect a reply, this person has moved on to find the next video to pointlessly criticize.

[@Voltaire805]

Go bigger (because you can't go smaller)

[@matthiasbargholz5126]

These non-objective compositions seem to serve as a hiding place for many artists to hide the lack of content. The result is design exercises - i.e. arts and crafts, suitable as decoration. Apart from emotions, there seems to be no content, no message left.

[@martinwhite4216]

a masterclass in self indulgence of philistine proportions with an end result of mind bending banality,and with adverts no less.

[@juergenhildmann5921]

Promo-SM

[@N_AJ]

So much effort, but I guess not everyone's cup of tea.

[@Marcin_Kulpa]

what A garbage ....

[@AlexaOleksa]

Oh, look, here comes person who doesn't contribute to a society at all. What a bitter individual you must be. Hope you'll get better 🙏