Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Beck.
Kristin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I studied graphic design but went fine art instead. I now live and create in both worlds. While I’ve been a working artist for many years, I began to truly focus my creative energies more when I found my studio’s space in 2016.
During the aforementioned years, I’ve headed a gallery space and founded a now 20+ years annual art event (in Orlando, Fl.), and have applied my creative direction skills to a number of industries (winning two Addy awards along the way!) in South Florida.
It was in January 2017 that I decided to make as much art and handmade goods as I possibly can. I could feel it; it was time. Upon moving to Coconut Creek later that same year, I’ve also endeavored to create an art and literature guild for this blooming city I call home.
The guild is on course to be active in Q1 of 2019. In short, I like to make stuff, and I want to help others make stuff, too.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a working artist and taking that path is paved with struggles. It’s what makes the art interesting in the end and the drive you show demonstrates your depth of character. I’ve got a lot of character!
I try to approach any obstacles with the same attitude. If it doesn’t exist, can we make it? If it can be better, how can we join forces to do it? If there is a (proverbial) boulder in the way, can I climb atop to see the horizon?
Everyone you meet in life, whether it’s obvious at the time or not, is important to your journey. Can you make the journey together? Building or fostering a community, one where my son is growing up in, is very important to me. Establishing a creative space is part of it. We need a way to express ourselves freely and creatively and positively.
Please tell us about Art Buzz Studio.
I make things with paper, fabric, paint, ink, and more. I make books by hand, hand stitching them together—gorgeous studies of paper and texture. I make modern quilts and other textile art pieces—more studies of color, texture, and process. I make paintings, largely acrylic on canvas, with layer upon layer of texture and color. I make greeting cards and zines, which are about expressing humor and sharing a laugh.
I am a teaching artist, which is a great way to share what you know and give back to your community. I also create custom projects for people—from handmade books to quilts to paintings. A handcrafted object is a beautiful thing to give yourself or a loved one.
My work is not defined by one genre. It’s often noted that a collection of my works look like they’ve been made by different people. I like this because it describes my curious and creative nature well. I am comfortable with many mediums and make many different things. Some things overlap in substrates and applications. Some are straightforward. The term multimedia artist serves me well.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
One of my favorite childhood memories is an artistic one. I was a kid living in Miami when the islands were wrapped in pink; Christo and Jeanne-Claude call the project Surrounded Islands.
As a young child, I didn’t understand at first why someone would do this. Why pink? Why? I understand as an adult artist those are the very reasons for the creation, to provoke, to ask why. It left a lasting impression.
Pricing:
- Custom hand-made books start at $50
- Paintings and small works start at $25
- Cards and zines start at $5
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artbuzzstudio.com
- Email: artbuzzorders@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbuzzbuzz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artbuzzbuzz/
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtBuzzStudio
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
