Today we’d like to introduce you to Jodye Beard-Brown.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I enjoy the diversity of creating mosaics and painting to express my art. Looking back, I think living in Paris and London in my young adult life during the late 80’s and early 90’s while I worked as a model helped to open my creative eye. I had the opportunity to be up close to a constantly moving creative process in fashion world. I was submerged in an incredibly beautiful places where colors, shapes, texture, and style took life. I paid attention absorbing what I could from all areas, to later pull from these early experiences and apply to them to my art of painting and mosaics. After living in many different places, I have returned to Houston (where I grew up) with my husband and two children. I work for United Airlines as a flight attendant. I was prior Continetal, where I was hired as a French speaker in ‘94. I continue to fly Internationally, still loving the inspiration from people, travel, and experiencing different cultures, to convey in my artwork.
Please tell us about your art.
I am an artist that loves to create mosaics and paint! For years I have felt like I needed to do one or the other…almost as if I was having an affair with one or the other torn between the two! As soon as I started to feel like I should only create mosaic, I would paint something and know that I just can give it up. At this point in my art journey I have discovered that I can have both worlds by painting on wood and choosing one focal point to mosaic. I think this is a perfect marriage for the two mediums…I feel like it’s new something I haven’t seen before! I love texture and color, I believe my color palette was inspired from years before when I had an amazing opportunity to as a mannequin de cabine (house model) for the great colorist himself Monsieur Yves Saint Laurent.
I was sure to have my eyes wide open while in his studio seeing firsthand his brilliance. Funny how inspiration can develop and grow when rooted from a place of admiration. I do like where it’s going…I am finding my voice. When someone says “You paint like your mosaics” I think to myself “Bingo, you totally get me!” When creating a painting the paint brush to canvas just seems to flow, the whole image is evident but grows in color and texture. My approach for mosaics is completely different. The broken pieces guide me often directing their location and it grows from there. Piece by piece connecting until the image is complete. Although the process is different the results are the same vibrant and bold. I want to create something from the less obvious, recycle what is broken, or painting an emotion that makes you feel something inside.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
I would say to just create as much as you can, even if you are only able to do it on weekends or late evenings. Find someplace to share your work even if it’s temporary or at a local coffee shop. Definitely put your work on social media to share with others. Remember that creating art is personal and therapeutic, if you can make money with art that’s great but not the focal point of creating.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I have some painting of jazz artist on display at The Sweet Spot a record and music store in Webster. I also always have something on display at My local Starbucks! May 12th, I did an art show without a Conception Art where some of the tickets proceeds and a silent auction was given to Fifth Ward for Hurricane Harvey Relief. That felt really good to use my art to give back! I have all my work on social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jbeardart.com
- Phone: 3602863944
- Email: jodye@jbeardart.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jbeard_art
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jbeardart
- Twitter: @jbeard_art
- Other: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/jodye-brown.html
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