Artist of the week – Beata Ferrarese

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Hi there and welcome to this week’s Artist Of The Week

Beata Ferrarese

The weather has turned a little colder and wetter recently here in Northamptonshire.

Well, it is June!

So, with the heating back on and my customary cup of tea in hand, I sat in the warmth of my kitchen to chat with Bea over the magic of the Internet. Lo and behold, there she was in her lovely sunny garden in North London.

Jealous much?

Hope you enjoy reading what we nattered about.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Originally from central Poland, Bea came to the UK in 1980 and settled first in the leafy London borough of Ealing before finally making her home in North London.

She has one son who’s just finishing a Masters Degree in architecture. Bea is a Therapeutic counsellor by profession and finds that people express themselves better through objects and symbols and this brought her to discover her passion for art.

Click here to find Bea’s homepage and join her mailing list.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

What did you do before you discovered your talent as an aritist?

I always had the desire to paint but never had the belief in myself. 

I ran a luxury Italian restaurant until 6 years ago. When that finished I decided I needed a hobby. To be honest, I had no idea I could paint. The reason I took up painting was when I decided I was going to give my brother a painting for his birthday. I couldn’t decided which one to get him so I said to my son that I would paint one myself. He laughed at the idea so I thought to myself “Well, you have to do it now!”

I loved it and got so engrossed with it I never looked back.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”5516″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”5517″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

What inspired you to become an artist?

I’ve found that art is a communication skill and my patients feel no barrier in expressing themselves through art. That’s what inspired me to become an artist. Now I feel that I’ve found a purpose in my life, I’m calmer and more focussed. Being an artist helps me live my life which in turn helps me become a better artist.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I’ve taken several different classes and attended many workshops for different styles. I had my first solo exhibition planned just as lockdown started so a selection of my work is still hanging in the “Red Art” gallery in Dalston ready for when we’re allowed back into public events. I’d love to do more exhibitions and I’m working hard on building my portfolio and getting my name out there. I tend to paint differently for art and craft fairs as opposed to exhibitions. While I really enjoy creating small paintings and pieces for craft fairs I feel that my true love is the bigger more expressive pieces. Ones I can really lose myself in.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

What’s life like as an artist in your area?

We do have a lot of art/craft exhibitions and gatherings in North London. I was going to organise one myself before lockdown intervened. We have a festival called Fancy Fair which I’m involved with. It was supposed to be in July but we’ve postponed it till September. Click here for more details.

I have my website and Instagram and of course Local Art & Craft UK![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Is your family artistic?

Not especially. I was never encouraged to be arty as neither of my parents were interested in the arts.

My sister is quite talented and crafty. When my son was a little boy and they had shows at school, my sister would always make the costumes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”5518″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”5519″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Who is your favourite artist?

That’s an easy one.

Without doubt it’s Salvador Dali. He’s quirky and crazy. My favourite painting is The Persistence of Memory. I see it reflected in every aspect of my inner self. When I look at the painting, the different aspects of Dali’s vision, I can see my own different moods. It’s a wonderful piece of art that has been very important to me in my life.

Also, Gerhard Richter, who I consider to be one of the greatest artists of our generation, has really influenced my use of colour. People call him “the artist without the brush” and that’s what I love. That’s what I like to do in my painting. All my paintings have background and texture, they’re tactile as well as visual and this is something I’ve drawn from Richter.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

What advice would you give to beginners?

Don’t be afraid. Try it, you might like it and it might change your life forever. Experiment with style. You can create something beautiful from the most simple things. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Would you be interested in LA&C’s mentoring scheme?

I would be delighted if I could share the little knowledge I have. It would be my pleasure. I’d also love to be mentored by someone who has more experience than me. Someone who could help me with exhibiting and dealing with galleries.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

So there you have it.

Huge thanks to Bea for letting me into her garden (I will definitely visit for that promised glass of wine once lockdown is over and done with!) and for sharing her story.

Don’t forget, you can visit Bea’s Local Art and Craft UK shop by clicking HERE

Watch this space for next week’s extra special Guest Artist Of The Week!

If you’d like to be featured as Artist Of The Week you can drop me a line at tom@localartandcraft.com

By for now

TJ[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]JTNDaDMlM0VBdmFpbGFibGUlMjBBcnQlMjBmcm9tJTIwQmVhdGElMjdzJTIwU3RvcmUlM0MlMkZoMyUzRSUwQSU1QnByb2R1Y3RzJTIwc3RvcmUlM0QlMjI0JTIyJTVE[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]