For Italian-born artist Bettina Werner, inspiration is always spot-on thanks to her beloved Dalmatian
Bettina Werner and Tibino on the roof, 287 Broadway, NY.
By Julia Szabo Photos Courtest The Salt Queen Foundation
In international art circles, Bettina Werner is renowned as the "Salt Queen." Salt is a subject of great fascination for this talented Milan-born artist, who developed a unique process of applying brilliantly-colored pigment to salt, creating stunning abstract paintings that invite contemplation and discussion.
Salt in various forms - kosher salt, table salt, rock salt - is the basis of her work. "There is so much history behind this powerful and beautiful natural crystal," she says. "I wanted to bring into my art a new medium - a medium that is not tasteless!"
Through the non-profit foundation she established, the Salt Queen Foundation (now celebrating its fifth year), Werner organizes exhibitions and events that celebrate salt in history and culture.
But equally important to the Salt Queen is her other source of inspiration: a handsome Dalmatian named Tibino. Werner combined her two passions, using salt to immortalize her beloved dog more than a hundred different ways"”literally. She created a series of abstract spotted artworks called "101 Dalmatian Paintings" and even sculpted a life-size likeness of her best friend that's a spotted pillar of salt. The range of the Tibino paintings is astonishing and delightful: one might be a field of white salt dotted with black spots, while another is a circle paved with black salt.
Tibino and Bettina Werner's Salt Sculpture-Dice, in Water Mill, NY. Salt Sculpture-Dice copyright 2001. 47 x 47 x 47 inches
"Your dog is your shadow," Werner says. "He follows you everywhere, and he's part of your personality." Sadly, her shadow passed away in 2005 at age 12, but his spirit lives in Werner's paintings. Tibino has his own section on the Web site Bettina-Werner.com, and his fame continues to spread via Werner's paintings, which are exhibited in museums, galleries and public spaces throughout America and the world.
"Mio Tibino, I miss him so much," Werner says. "Our bond was so strong that I still feel him around me constantly." More than her best friend, Tibino was Werner's muse. On her Web site, the artist gives credit where it is due: "Thank you, Tibino, for the precious time we shared and the memories we made together. Thank you for what we taught one another and for the knowledge we exchanged."
