art by
Becky Blades
Becky Blades
art by
Becky Blades
Becky Blades
art by
Becky Blades
Becky Blades
Becky Blades creates …
mixed media artwork, acrylic paintings, monoprints, intaglio prints, functional art and driftwood sculpture. Her artwork is in private collections from San Francisco to New York to Paris to New Madrid, Missouri.
She studied drawing and photography at the University of Missouri and studied printmaking, welding, painting and sculpture at the Kansas City Art Institute. She is self-taught in mixed media techniques and fiber arts.
Becky is an advocate for the arts, serving organizations in her community, and guest lecturing for art teaching institutions.
A guilty pleasure
“For decades, I stole snippets of time from my career to play in paint and scrap bins, mixing media in disallowed juxtapositions, to make things just to treat myself. Today, working in my art studio — which extends into my back yard — still feels like a guilty pleasure.”
Powered by bliss
“I studied art in college as a kind of recess. And a way to keep my GPA up.
In my 20’s, I tried to always keep art supplies handy. It was cheaper than therapy.
Then, in my 30’s, I’d steal time from my business to take art retreats or weekend classes. It felt decadent, and like I was somehow cheating.
After I sold my public relations business, in my 40’s, I kicked my teen kids out of the basement and declared it my studio. I thought that would make me feel like a “real artist.”
It didn’t. I did not feel like a “real artist.” But I no longer felt like I was cheating. Because art was hard work. Hard, joyous, intoxicating soulful HARD work.
So I worked hard, and the work got better…and more satisfying. I ran out of bare walls in my house, and I thought the thought that every hard-working artist thinks: “I must sell my work. That will make me legit.”
So I sold work.
Did I feel legit?
Nope.
But along the way, I learned that legitimacy may not be a word that is meant for art.
I act on my ideas. I start things that make me happy. And look, I’ve finished some things!”
Powered by bliss
“I studied art in college as a kind of recess. And a way to keep my GPA up.
In my 20’s, I tried to always keep art supplies handy. It was cheaper than therapy.
Then, in my 30’s, I’d steal time from my business to take art retreats or weekend classes. It felt decadent, and like I was somehow cheating.
After I sold my public relations business, in my 40’s, I kicked my teen kids out of the basement and declared it my studio. I thought that would make me feel like a “real artist.”
It didn’t. I did not feel like a “real artist.” But I no longer felt like I was cheating. Because art was hard work. Hard, joyous, intoxicating soulful HARD work.
So I worked hard, and the work got better…and more satisfying. I ran out of bare walls in my house, and I thought the thought that every hard-working artist thinks: “I must sell my work. That will make me legit.”
So I sold work.
Did I feel legit?
Nope.
But along the way, I learned that legitimacy may not be a word that is meant for art.
I act on my ideas. I start things that make me happy. And look, I’ve finished some things!”
COMING SOON
My online gallery of art available for purchase is in the works. (I know, I know, this is taking too long. I’ve been busy launching a newsletter and book.)
