Tell us about yourself and what you do?
I'm Beck or otherwise known as rebecca kate (my artist brand name) and I love to create! I'm primarily an abstract botanical artist but have recently started (and loving) delving into collage and mixed media art. I'm also a mum of two girls Esme (6) and Willow (4) who love creating with me.
Have you always had an interest in creating art?
Yep! ha ha... I used to remember drawing all the time when I was a kid.
What inspired you to begin painting?
I completed my Bachelor of Fine Arts way back in 2004 but didn't pursue my painting until Esme was born.... I felt a little bored as a stay-at-home-mum so picked up the paint brush as a creative outlet and haven't looked back.
What kind of flower brings you the most joy?
Roses are my all time fave... they are so elegant and pretty and smell divine!! But I also love how their thorns give them an edge and make them tough haha.
What’s your creative process?
My process for my abstract botanicals starts with deciding on the colour palette, then the first layers are very very free and loose.... I use a lot of fluid flow-y paint and am not afraid to make a mess. The background has a lot of layers so I need to wait for them to dry in between each layer and I am mainly just building up the colours with different techniques like using a spatula and thick messy brush strokes. The top layers are made up of the floral shapes and refined lines in different colours.
Are there any other artists that inspire you?
So many... I absolutely love Annie Everingham and her work, my art bestie Casey Burrill is a constant inspiration, Heather Day and Blacklist to name just a few,
what’s the most memorable event of your career?
I think my most memorable event and one that I was most proud of is at the end of my Bachelor Degree we had a graduation exhibition and I created three mixed media self portraits. When we arrived at opening night I was super surprised to find out that all three sold before the exhibition had even opened.
any music, artists, books, that you’re loving right now?
I've just started to read Glennon Doyle's Untamed and absolutely loving it.
Favourite weekend activity?
Lighting the chiminea out in the backyard with a glass of red and book while the girls are playing.
How has COVID affected the art industry, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this?
Personally I don't think it has been affected in a negative way, if anything I feel because we are home all the time we are drawn to things that bring joy, so more art is being purchased and I feel so grateful that local artists are being so supported during this time.
Top tip for surviving lockdown?
Take one day at a time.
