fbpx

Creating a Buzz

Kristin Beck’s artistry had humble beginnings—think paper placemats in restaurants coupled with any drawing utensil she could find—but it has assumed many forms.

“I want to say it’s been with me my whole life,” Beck says.

In what her husband calls the “Tarantino style of talking,” (a meandering but connected way of storytelling) Beck shares how she studied graphic design (or commercial art, as it was known “100 years ago”) and then fine art in college. She began doing graphic design again when she worked as a magazine production manager, photographer and copywriter in her 20s. Later, she owned her own art gallery in Orlando, and now she’s a creative-for-hire (or a freelance creative director, depending on her mood) and runs Art Buzz Studio in Oakland Park.

The art Beck does in her free time ranges as much, if not more, than her job titles. She is a painter, photographer, book binder, quilter and pretty much any other type of artist, depending on the materials she finds. Her main purpose is to elicit emotion—hopefully, she says, humor or happiness—using bright, expressive colors and textures and encouraging viewers to touch her art.

“I’m a big believer that artists need viewers just like viewers need art,” Beck says. “We need each other … but I also see that as a connection. As human beings, we all want to connect and communicate.”

Beck considers art a positive expression of emotions, versus the negative manifestations that occur when we repress them.

“We don’t give ourselves positive ways to express ourselves, and the arts do that. … I dare you to try to look mean or scornful while you’re skipping,” Beck says. “We’ve deemed those things less important, sadly, in school systems.”

To counter that, Beck hopes to bring the arts to her community. At Coconut Creek’s ArtsFest in September, Beck introduced herself to other artists and discovered many were interested in expanding the arts in Creek as well. She helped organize a gathering in March for Coconut Creek and West Broward artists to “connect, brainstorm and just talk about art.”

“I started the meetup with my agenda being no agenda. I did not want to dictate anything or to anyone,” Beck says. “I wanted it to be an open discussion [of how to bring arts to Creek]. The response was positive and people are ready to act. Ready to define a purpose.”

As for her own artistic career, Beck has created a series of workshops in hopes of becoming a teaching artist. In the meantime, as always, she wants to “make more stuff.”

To learn more about Beck’s art or to contact her about workshops or expanding the arts in Coconut Creek, visit thekristinbeck.com.

Crazy Abstract by Kristin Beck

Extras with Kristin Beck

Favorite artists: Photography: Abelardo Morell and Cindy Sherman; painting: Andy Warhol; printmaking: Star Shaped Press

Biggest inspiration: A desire to be heard, followed by making people laugh.

Favorite local artists: I have two local art crushes: Francie Bishop Good and Bernice Steinbaum

Tools of the trade: Sketchbook, Sakura pigma micron pens, a 6-inch ruler and camera phone

What to do when you’re “stuck”: Jump up and down in my studio and crank up the music.

Describe your work in three words: Colorful, emotional and tactile

Describe your creative process: With painting, my process is about exploration and layers and color mixing—all hallmarks of abstract painting. With book binding and quilting, I found the process of combining the substrates of each (paper and fabric) such a delight. … With photography, my process is about capturing a moment, not just to document things.

You May Also Like

The Ingredients of Timeless Tunes

Boyz II Men’s Nathan Morris shares his insight on how to make music that lasts the tests of time.

Right on Pointe

A lifetime on her toes culminates in a dancing dream for Dawn Atkins this season with Miami City Ballet.

Lifestyle Exclusive: Sammy Hagar

The Red Rocker opens up about success in the spirits world, the mysteries of Maui, his musical Circle of trust—and why his band is loading up on Van Halen songs.

Dolphins’ Alec Ingold Pays It Forward

Buoyed by his own positive adoption story, Miami’s fullback passes it on by advocating for foster kids and adoption groups.

Other Posts

NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale Unveils The Daily Act of Art Making Exhibition Series

The inaugural display features solo exhibitions for South Florida artists Matthew Carone, Jaime Grant, and Elizabeth Thompson.

Museum of Discovery & Science Launches Voyage to the Deep Exhibit

All MODS traveling exhibits are presented by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, one of South Florida’s leading pediatric hospitals.

Arlo Wynwood Embraces Black History Month With Gallery Opening  

Two Afro-Caribbean female artists will be featured.

South Florida’s Major Haitian Art Exhibit on Display at NSU Art Museum

The work highlights 27 Haitian artists illuminating facets of Haiti’s political history and creative abundance.