Interview
Rebecca Harris
Rebecca grew up in a creative environment. Her parents owned a hobby and craft store, where she had access to a wide range of supplies and the freedom to experiment and make messes. Beks’ work is deeply influenced by her faith, dreams, and surroundings. She often paints dreams and visions and incorporates inspiration from her travels and varied interests. Drawn to the unexpected beauty of the seemingly mundane, she often seeks to elevate ordinary objects and images into some extraordinary. Her mixed media approach allows her to transform something messy into something beautiful. Beks believes in the importance of cultivating a beautiful life by finding things that inspire and resonate deeply. Knowing that art is a catalyst that drives change, she hopes her art will inspire her collectors to seek beauty and truth while motivating them to create their best life.
Harris has a diverse portfolio in Interior Design, Graphic Design and Illustration. She previously worked as an interior designer. She is a graduate of the Milan Art Mastery Program, has a BFA in Interior Design and a MS in Green Design and Sustainability. Harris has collectors of her work around the world.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I have always been creative. My parents owned a hobby and craft store when I was a child so I had access to all sorts of fun things. I was constantly trying new hobbies and art supplies. I spent many, many hours in a sketchbook drawing as a child and I was fortunate to be encouraged in my creative endeavors. It has definitely had a life-long influence on my interests. I did a short stint in a water testing lab right out of high school and quickly learned that the science and technology field just wasn't for me. Career wise, I studied Interior Design and have done graphic design work as well but both of those fields involve creating someone else's vision. As much as I love that challenge, it's becoming increasingly important to be true to my own creative voice and bring my visions to life.”
What inspires you?
“I find inspiration everywhere! I am definitely inspired by my faith, dreams, and nature. And my love of reading fantasy definitely comes through in the sense of mystery and whimsy in a lot of my work. As someone who often thinks in images, I get visions in my head all the time that I want to paint. I'll be reading a book, scrolling social media or just taking a walk and find something inspiring. It could be a color or the shape of a shadow. I like finding the unexpected beauty of seemingly simple, mundane things, and finding ways to make them extraordinary.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I'm all about themes of personal growth, resilience, and the wild beauty of the human spirit. Each piece is an invitation to connect more deeply to your most authentic self. There's this ongoing message in my work of hope, self-discovery, resilience, and celebrating the innate beauty we all carry.”
How would you describe your work?
“I have two main styles depending on my medium. My paintings are a fusion of abstract realism with a touch of whimsy. I specialize in capturing more realistic subjects, particularly close-ups of natural elements such as flowers and animals. What sets them apart is the incorporation of more abstract backgrounds that lend a somewhat fantastical quality, allowing the subjects to emerge from space in a unique way. My oil pastel work leads more towards impressionism with really vibrant colors and energetic mark making.”
Which artists influence you most?
“While it's trite to say Van Gogh, his ability to evoke energy and emotion is timeless and remains a source of inspiration. In the realm of contemporary artists, Kellee Wynne Conrad's approach to play and experimentation has significantly shaped my perspective on the initial layers of my creations, encouraging me to explore and push boundaries during the early stages of my artistic process. Another contemporary artist, Katrina Koltes, has deeply influenced my artistic vision with her ethereal and fantastical approach to art. Her ability to weave otherworldly scenes into her creations resonates with me, and I find beauty in the way she effortlessly story tells in her work.”
“I'm all about themes of personal growth, resilience, and the wild beauty of the human spirit.”
What is your creative process like?
“My process is a combination of intuition and inspiration. I usually start with really loose idea and create backgrounds with intuition, play and exploration. I'll use collage, ink, spray paint, texture mediums - it's messy. Then, once I've gotten a feel for it, I finalize my source and start block things out, working towards refinement. I do most of my work in acrylics then finish things off with oils. They add a depth and richness I can't get with acrylic.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“As artists, our role in society is that of visionaries. We navigate the realms between what is and what can be and creating connections between them. I firmly believe in the transformative power of art and that artists possess the unique ability to envision potential and bring it to life. We create the bridge between the unseen and the tangible, giving a foothold in reality for inspiration and transformation. Our mission extends beyond making pretty things; it's about telling stories, evoking emotions, connecting people. In an evolving society, our role becomes even more crucial, serving as beacons of hope and positivity. Yes, we create and share beauty butt we also encourage self-discovery, and remind people of their inherent strength, dreams, and the possibilities within their grasp.”
