B.L.T. consists of painters Bob Stang, Lisa Beerntsen & Tony Speirs. The collaboration began in late 2009 as a tentative experiment between the long-time friends. By early 2010 the first four works were finished and sparked excitement. Each painting begins when one member paints a colored and/or textured ground — the base coat — and then passes it on to another painter, who takes a turn, often adding rhythmic or abstract elements. Gradually, the painting gains more specific and narrative imagery, and the juxtaposition of disparate elements begins to suggest themes. This exchange goes on with each member free to incorporate, or obscure, or even bury the previous members' turns. When a painting begins to feel like it's reaching a resolution, the three members convene (Bob lives and works in Oakland, Tony & Lisa (a couple) live and work in Graton, Sonoma County, and discuss what might be needed to complete the piece. They then decide who wants to — or is best equipped to — make those finishing touches on any given painting.
In addition to working as B.L.T., each artist is establishing a successful painting career of their own. Bob Stang studied at UC Santa Barbara, and has shown his paintings at various galleries and venues around the country, with a solo show recently at the Brett Wesley Gallery in Las Vegas. Lisa Beerntsen received her BFA from the California College of Arts (Oakland) and MFA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her paintings have been shown on both coasts, and she has taught art at the Santa Rosa Junior College for the past 14 years. Tony Speirs studied illustration and fine art at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. He has exhibited throughout the Bay Area, and his paintings have appeared in several magazines and books.
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