See: An Art Road Trip

See: An Art Road Trip is a unique and captivating film from 2013 that follows visionary contemporary American artists, Bo Bartlett and Betsy Eby, as they embark on a highly personal artistic journey. Bo Bartlett, renowned for his large-scale, figures-focused, American realism paintings, and Betsy Eby, known for her intricate and emotional abstract encaustic works, make up this truly dynamic duo in both life and art. Their mutual passion for both the delicate beauty and the raw power of art is what truly makes this film an unforgettable artistic journey.

The film is largely centered around an art-infused expedition, with Bartlett and Eby setting off in their art-laden van from their home in the Pacific Northwest to travel across America. The journey offers the viewer a rare and intimate glimpse into the life and minds of these artists, each separately renowned for their work but who now collaborate in an exploration of the country's diverse landscapes and experiences. This is a road trip like no other. It is an exploration of art in the American context, a profound musing on the significance and impact of art in depicting the American spirit.

The couple’s journey takes them from the serene verdant hills of the Pacific Northwest to the gritty streets of New York City, the mesmerizing deserts of New Mexico, and the quaint Southern charm of Bartlett's childhood home in Georgia. Their travels provide a rich tapestry of ever-changing landscapes, raw and inspiring in their vivid depictions. On this unfolding canvas of America's backdrops and scenes, Bartlett and Eby document and draw inspiration, capturing in their work the essence of their unique surroundings.

The film isn't just about art; it also meditates on the concepts of home, identity, dreams, and the philosophical questions about life and the nature of existence. It explores how the artists view America through their shared painting adventures, and the sensibilities they contribute to their further art creation.

The camera subtlety captures the nuances of personal and artistic interactions between Bartlett and Eby, who are not just companions but critiques of each other’s work, providing the audience with an insider's view into the workings of a creative partnership. The dialogues and exchanges are authentic, lively, thought-provoking, and fun, displaying the couple’s shared love for art and life.

The journey is also emboldened with interviews with various personalities along the route, including art critics, collectors and curators, friends and family, offering fresh perspectives on their work and the larger art scene. Their eclectic series of encounters form the living memoir of their journey and serve as the narrative compass that guides the viewers through the film. Each encounter reveals distinctive insights about American life and culture, the role of art in society, and the pursuit of personal passion.

See: An Art Road Trip offers a fresh canvas for audiences unfamiliar with the harmonious synergy of art and real life. Directed by Scott Ogden, the film is a real "moving" canvas that captures the essence of contemporary American art with all its complexities and nuances. It urges viewers to perceive life as an unfolding work of art with them being creators of their authentic masterpiece.

The film underscores the philosophy that art isn’t confined to museums or galleries but is a mirror of the society that produces it, imprinted with its dreams, its confusion, its chaos, its glimpses of clarity. It illustrates how art enables us to see the world anew, offering fresh interpretations and challenging existing perceptions.

Diving into See: An Art Road Trip, viewers don’t merely see a movie; they embark on an intimate journey filled with passion, creativity, and genuine love for the process of creating art. It is a film that truly appreciates the act of seeing, most importantly, inviting the audience to see through the love-struck eyes of these two artists. It's an engaging exploration of art, its place in our lives and, ultimately, in our society. This hybrid narrative-documentary film enriches its viewers, encouraging deeper understanding and appreciation of art and the pursuit of one’s passion, making it a must-see for art lovers and life explorers alike.