Kelly Beeman grew up in Oklahoma and currently resides in New York City. Beeman never attended art school but gets her talent and interest in art from a family of artists. She has partaken in art her whole life. 

Beeman creates watercolor pieces of anonymous subjects that she describes as “clones or prototypes” and “autobiographical narratives.” Her art encapsulates solitary and domestic moments that can be relatable to anybody. In many of Beeman’s pieces she turns painful situations into a piece of art free from tension. She says she desires the feeling of curiosity from the viewer, the feeling of being “serene and relaxed.” 

Beeman got her first recognition when a piece of her art, using borrowed clothing designs from the designer JW Anderson, was noticed by the designer. This is, and was, a common practice of hers: borrowing clothing designs from designers she enjoys and dressing her figures in them. JW Anderson flew Beeman to NYC and gave her the opportunity to create multiple illustrations for their offices. Beeman had also been assigned to travel to St. Peterburg, Russia by Louis Vuitton, creating a total of 120 pieces for their Saint Petersburg Travel Book. 

Being passionate about figure drawing myself, I am interested in Kelly Beeman and her story. I think Beeman’s personal style is unique, and from the beginning I was curious about what kind of materials she uses to create her art. Beeman’s story made me realize how interesting the fashion aspect of art is to me. I had never considered the concept of borrowing designs and intentionally getting inspiration from clothing designers. When I’m drawing, I usually put my figures in whatever comes to mind whether it be popular fashion trends I enjoy or inspiration from clothes I personally own. 

I think her story is inspirational. Beeman came from doing art as merely a hobby and having a small restaurant job to working for large designers such as JW Anderson and Louis Vuitton. Though she states she was perfectly content with her previous position, the recognition from larger designers really changed her life. That kind of growth in such a short period of time is incredible. 

Source: Juxtapoz Magazine, https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/magazine/features/kelly-beeman-a-fantastical-life/