PENNY KNOBEL-BESA DISCUSSES ART AT GALLERY 50 AND SHARES HER ADVENTUROUS STORY
By Robb Helfrick
To discuss her photography, featured in the ongoing “Faces and Places” exhibition, Penny Knobel-Besa gave an artist talk on March 21 at Gallery 50 in Waynesboro. Knobel-Besa entertained a group of art lovers with a lively lecture on a wide range of topics. During a stroll around the gallery, she highlighted her background in the arts and how that journey has shaped her creative expression.
Before Knobel-Besa became a photographer, she was immersed in Maryland’s theatre scene. She founded the Maryland Theatre Arts Company and enjoyed a successful career as a director and playwright. That included directing an Off-Broadway performance.
When she retired in 1997, she took a two-month trip to follow a new passion and build a photographic portfolio. With a love of birds and people, Penny drove alone across America. Alaska was her final destination, and she savored that road trip. “If you haven’t done it, it’s a wonderful experience to see the land we live in,” she said about that momentous cross-country drive.
What held Knobel-Besa’s attention the most was people. “I really enjoy meeting strangers and hearing where they are in their lives,” she said. Penny first considered doing a book of photos combined with interviews- one idea centered on women in laundromats.
During that Alaska adventure, she talked to oil workers, trappers, and met people from all walks of life. Penny became a serious portrait photographer on that trip. A book would come later.
Once back home in Maryland, Penny developed beneficial relationships with models. She believes her theatre background allows her to assess people easily. “I’ve always been a candid photographer and people watcher.” She’s now worked with a few models for decades and has even photographed one model’s children as they’ve grown up.
Knobel-Besa isn’t afraid to experiment. When one model wanted to bring her friend, “Sam,” Penny didn’t flinch when it turned out that Sam was a snake. This photographer’s adventurous spirit often leads to unexpected poses and unplanned creative exercises with her models. “Find something that your model can do naturally, and don’t manipulate them,” she said.
Penny encourages photographers to “Step out of your usual realm, and you might surprise yourself.” She believes that learning and growing are constant pursuits. “You have to stretch yourself to be an artist.”
Knobel-Besa has won numerous honors for her work. She once captured a grand prize for a statewide Maryland competition, and part of her reward was dinner on the Governor’s yacht. She brought along the young girl who was the subject of that winning photograph.
Despite photographers’ penchant to chase prizes for their images, Penny believes that winning awards isn’t necessary to enjoy the art. “Respect your work, even if it’s not selected or published. Every judge is different; you never know what will be popular in someone else’s eyes.”
During her artist talk, Penny discussed some of the images included in the Faces and Places exhibit. Naturally, her photographic subjects at the Gallery 50 show are faces. One is an image titled “The Cowboy,” a portrait taken at a riding stable near her Maryland home. “I like the smoke rising by his face,” she said. She captured the image in color and then transferred it to a classic photo art format. “There’s something special about black and white imagery.”
Although Penny sometimes utilizes Photoshop on the computer to alter images, she approaches that work with an experimental mindset. She doesn’t claim to be an expert at digital manipulation. A successful photograph for her involves a simple formula: a ready eye, an adventurous spirit, and trust she earns from her subjects. “I give the models most of the credit for my best images.”
Other images in the exhibition include a female playing peek-a-boo and a glamour shot of a favorite model. Another image, titled “Mischief,” features a model’s face, converted to a dramatic blue hue.
Never complacent about her work as an artist, Penny has also written a children’s book titled “Under Your Pillow,” a story about the tooth fairy.
When she’s not out photographing, Penny lives with her husband, Hilmar Gottesthal, an acclaimed international artist originally from Austria. Hilmar’s work encompasses oil and watercolor paintings as well as wood sculptures.
The couple shares a secluded space they call “Sanctuary Studio,” located on 20 wooded acres in Western Maryland near Cumberland. They encourage art lovers to visit them. Penny’s website shows more of her work: pkbphotos.com. She also leads photography trips and teaches workshops.
The “Faces and Places” show runs until April 18. The collection exhibits many high-quality art pieces created by eight additional talented artists. Those local creators are Joan Carroll, Johnathan Frazier, Paul Gallo, Katrina Hoopes, Eric Hyne, Melissa Libertini, Laurie McKelvie, Paula Saneaux, and Steve Wetzel.
Friday nights are a perfect time to visit the gallery. Live music is featured in the adjoining Music Makers space from 5:30 to 8 pm. This combination creates an inspiring atmosphere for connecting with local art and artists. For more information about the gallery and its sponsor, the Greater Waynesboro Arts Alliance, visit its website: artsalliancegw.org.
