Today we’d like to introduce you to S. Beck, The Artist.
It’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I grew up in a small rural town in Northern Indiana. As a young girl, I spent my days drawing and riding horses. When I was around 13 my parents enrolled me in a group lesson on oil painting. That is when my love of painting took off and I was never not painting from that moment on. Growing up in a small town, I never thought you could survive as an artist. When I was 17 I entered a modeling contest and won a contract with Elite Model Management out in Los Angeles. At 17, I graduated High School early and my modeling career began. I was very fortunate and traveled all over the US modeling— LA, Chicago, Miami & NYC.
I was exposed to the Arts in ways I never even imagined. In my downtime, I’d always find ways to paint. I’d take pictures of my paintings & carry them around with me in my Modeling Portfolio. I never really thought much about them professionally, but to me, my paintings were part of my identity. Eventually, I ended up moving to Nashville with my husband from New Jersey back in 2007. It was then that I decided to throw myself completely into my true love of painting. It was something that both completed me & fulfilled me. I never cared about selling them, but needed to find a way to keep painting & buying supplies. I remember praying to God & asking Him to please let me keep painting & help me to figure this out. I know this sounds wild, but the next day when I woke up, I knew what I needed to do. My husband is a concert pianist, musician, songwriter & producer. Together, we have written a few hit songs and even received some awards.
Many of my family members were musical, but more as a hobby. I personally had zero musical talents. One time I took voice lessons, but only one. Then I took violin lessons and the instructor told my Dad it was probably best to just save his money. Then I tried piano lessons, but then realized I had to perform in front of people for a recital and decided I was out. Still, my love for music drove me, I just hadn’t found my niche. After years of living in the modeling world based out of NJ and commuting to NYC, we were ready for a new start and a change in life, and a slower pace. We decided to move to Music City aka Nashville! From that moment on, I began to paint. Starting on a cold garage floor in the winter with no easel, I painted. I decided to express my love for music through art. Selling my paintings was never a care. I just loved to create.
But, being in a city whose logo is literally a guitar and with a culture of such diverse musicians and singers, somehow through word of mouth my works began to take flight; Which is one of my favorite phrases… Tolle Fuga, latin for to take flight. My works primarily consist of large (30×40) abstract impressionist paintings on canvas with a signature style of guitars and piano keys. Every day I step foot into my art studio to create, I am grateful. For how this began, how it has progressed and the journey of where it is taking me— I am blessed. One thing my Dad always said, “… just figure out what you love to do and are passionate about and the money will take care of itself”.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
None of my life has been a smooth path or easy road. Many times I was too poor to paint and couldn’t even afford materials to create with. Then when I could, I didn’t care where I painted. Most times on a cold hard floor with no easel in a garage in the winter. I just didn’t care. I can remember painting on thrown-away cardboard and finding leftover house paint from neighbors and yes I’d even paint with that.
When I modeled professionally, it was a life filled with many positives, but also a lot of rejection. In order to process my feelings, I would get lost in my love of painting and drawing. As time progressed, I was able to buy quality materials (paints, brushes, canvas and mixed media materials). The more I sold, the better quality of materials I was able to buy. As a Mother, I had to pause at times due to pregnancy and the health of my baby. My belly would get so big I had to stop because my belly was getting painted more than the canvas and even smudging my works of art and it was very frustrating and impossible for me to keep painting! Then, I started to see a demand for my work and began selling 7-10 paintings a week online, but just could not keep up with the demand as my paintings were oil paints and not drying fast enough and therefore, I could not ship them out fast enough. Due to this, I decided to switch from oils to acrylic.
This was a bit of a learning curve because the base is much different and the colors are very different. I’ve always admired oils more but had to figure out a way to make acrylics for my work look like they were oil paintings. I then learned to love acrylics as there was more variety available. In every obstacle, you have to decide to push through or quit and learn from everything. I am not a quitter. I learn quickly and pivot. I make the best of every situation and am grateful for the journey. The process helps mold you for your future, but it’s not always easy or fun times.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My husband is an award-winning writer, producer and artist in music. Together, we settled in the small rural town of Arrington. We both seemed to connect over our mutual love for culture and the creative arts. While he was in the music recording studio, I would then channel that creative energy into my own interpretation of visual artistry.
Inspired by the abstract, with a self-taught signature style, I specialize in the interpretation of painted musical instruments on canvas. My works, mostly 30×40, consist of electric and acoustic guitars and piano keys. Living in the rural hills of Arrington, I fell in love with the natural environment around me. Here at my art studio, I am surrounded by creativity and beauty that alone daily inspires me. From the limestone, the TN granite— all the rocks, the red earth, the trees, flowers, plants… all of it. There is so much beauty in the structures, landforms, plains, plateaus, and textured minerals that is all around us here in the mid-TN area. The people within this area are so creative and inspiring. We love that we are all locals, yet not really from here. From the struggling artist trying to make it on Broadway singing their heart out at the local bars, to the writing rounds in Leipers Fork, to the successful and well-known artists that have made it, yet never forget where they came from… it all is so moving to me. I think it was Bach that once said, “To play without passion, is inexcusable.”
Art, like music, is a form of communication not limited to the restrictive usage of a specific sound or language. It can easily cut straight to the heart of the observer or take you back to a heartfelt moment or memory. Each of my works display a bare canvas that is predominantly covered in acrylics, oils and other forms of media, such as; ink, graphite, plaster, spray paint, glass, foils, rocks, sand, and earth — aka TN dirt. I always try to lure the viewer as they look beyond the obvious and find simple complexities hidden within layers, bold colors, patterns, and rhythmic movements. I hope that each of my works of art is a visual experience evoking a feeling of transport.
My works have been collected by famous musicians, actors, recording studios, restaurants, stores, luxury boutique hotels, and private collectors worldwide (N. America, Europe & Asia).
They have been described as “Shockingly gorgeous”, “Breathtaking detail”, “Nashville’s newest trend!”, “The go-to Artist. Just overwhelmingly stunning!”, “It’s like 3D paint, jumping off the canvas. It exuberates beauty!”, and “So much detail. So many layers. Simply divine, yet nothing simple about it!”
I am a self-proclaimed workaholic, addicted to my craft and always envisioning the creation of my next greatest work. When not in my art studio, I can be found at home in the rolling hills of mid-TN with my husband, children, and my European Doberman-Pinscher.
What matters most to you?
As an artist and as a creative, it’s important to me to simply continue to find ways to create. Art is my identity. It is my therapy. It is my joy. It is my struggle. It is my peace.
My preference is to be completely open— starting with a blank canvas and no preconceived outcome or predestined idea, allowing the sound and emotion of the moment to flow through me, both intuitively and expressively. I feel this is the best way to convey the raw expression and essence of who I am. With only a palette knife, I meticulously begin to create layer upon layer of vivid detail, depth, colors, and texture producing my very own, one-of-a-kind, custom symphony. In a way very similar to writing a song or a music composition, yet often too deep to describe by words or a melody.
Each painting is custom and one of a kind. It is really a process, taking me 2+ weeks to create. From the textures, to the layering of the backgrounds, to the mixing of my custom paints and colors, to the drying… it all takes time. To me, time is value and actions do speak louder than words. I give a piece of myself with every work. I hope that value is interpreted and conveyed in each of my works. And for me to be inspired and then to creatively inspire others is my goal.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sbecktheartist.
com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/sbecktheartist - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/sbecktheartist
