BY KAREN BOSSICK

Marybeth Flower got serous with her camera after retiring from a career in hospital management, producing two national conferences on health care issues moderated by Ted Koppel.

At first, she roamed around Idaho and neighboring states capturing vibrantly colorful landscapes of the American West. Then she spent time where she and her late husband Joe Bauwens took pictures of colorful villages and historic horse races for a coffee table book “Piazza: Italy’s Heart and Soul,” which won Best Coffee Table Book of the Year in international competition.

In recent years she has been doing a deep dive into Photoshop, learning how to an abstract flair to her landscapes. And, most recently, she has been playing with geometric shapes in even more abstract works.

Marybeth Flower says her heart images are inspired by Jim Dine, known for his contributions to performance art and pop art.

“They look more like paintings,” said Flower. “I get my inspiration from artists like Frank Stella, a mid-20th century modern artist. I must be a wanna-be painter because the more my photography resembles a painting the happier I am.” 

Flower will be among 40 artists who will open their studios to show their creative process Friday and Saturday during the free Artist Studio Tour of the Wood River Valley. Artists’ studios will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, and Saturday, Aug. 24.

The studios will feature a large variety of art, including fine art photography, painting, sculpture, ceramics, glass, jewelry, leather, basketry and fiber. Some of the artists will have works available for purchase; they’ll also take commissions.

The tour will encompass the entire Wood River Valley, including Sun Valley, Ketchum, Hailey and Bellevue. Signs will be posted on tour days, guiding visitors to the studios.

EJ Harpham’s extensive ceramics studio is matched only by the lovely pond and its accompanying flower and vegetable garden. PHOTO: Karen Bossick

Free maps are available at the Ketchum Visitor Center, Hailey Welcome Center, Sun Valley Garden Center in Bellevue and in artists’ studios. You can also see a map by clicking on the Artist Studio Tour ad in Eye on Sun Valley or by going to https://artiststudiotour.com/ where you can also see a synopsis of each artist.

Flower says she can’t wait to entertain visitors.

“It’s the one time of the year I get a chance to show my work,” she said. “Software like Photoshop and Lightroom have given me tools to create images that have depth, rich colors and texture. And they’ve given me the ability to create finished photographs that consist of multiple images melded into one—a process that is very fun and challenging.

“I like showing people the breadth and depth of photography—all the things you can do with it,” she added. “I may sell a few works but even having a couple people say they love what I do brings me joy.”

Jan Lassetter has an amazing array of brushes to choose from in her Ketchum studio. PHOTO: Karen Bossick

Susan Perrin takes her chalk with her when she paints outdoors. PHOTO: Karen Bossick