Living Large

Arts | August 31st, 2016

“I took a drawing class in high school and have drawn simple pictures since i was very young.” says NDSU art student Emma Beatrez, “ I never really painted before my freshman year of college so it was quite unexpected that i took this route and decided to emphasize in painting”.

Beatrez, a Junior at NDSU with an emphasis in painting and one of the founders of Ochre studios,has been making an impact with her expressive large scale oil paintings. Her work has been exhibited as part of the 2015 FMVA Juried Exhibition, The Uptown Gallery, and most recently her work was included as part of the pop up Wandering Ghost Gallery this past spring.

HPR had the opportunity to chat with Beatrez about her new work that will be exhibited at Make Room Gallery for the month of September.

High Plains Reader: What is your art background, I see that you are an NDSU Junior. You have a wonderful understanding of light, color, and the human figure..

Emma Beatrez: I took a drawing class in high school and have drawn simple pictures since I was very young. I never really painted before my freshman year of college so it was quite unexpected that I took this route and decided to emphasize in painting.

HPR:Who has been your biggest mentor?

EB: Kimble Bromley has been my biggest mentor in college

HPR: Your work appears to be very large scale--what made you decide to work in such a scale? What are the pros and what are the cons?

EB: Large scale work allows me to be more expressive and loose with my brushwork and fit more into the space. If the canvas gets too big I've had to stand on chairs so I can reach the top. I tend to be way smaller than my paintings.

HPR: What are the main themes of your work? I see portraits and a few self portraits--and architectural paintings.

EB: I tend to do mainly portraiture and am trying to expand my portfolio by bringing in some studies of buildings. Some similar themes of my work are taking events in my life and connecting it to the images I create.

HPR: What inspires you?

EB: The interactions I have with the people around me and some of the events we go through together. Even if these events don't affect me first hand--everything that happens to the people I surround myself with will reach me in some way. I always have a reason for creating what i do, It gives me more of an emotional connection to the piece and makes it that much more believable for me and hopefully for the viewer.

HPR: Is oil your medium of choice--what drew you to it initially, and how long does it take for you to complete a piece?

EB: Oil is my medium of choice. I started out the spring semester my freshman year with acrylic and was really intimidated by the oil paints, but the color and the way it applies on the canvas had me sold. Completion time really depends on the piece; It can take anywhere from two days to two weeks.

HPR: What has your experience been like working at Ochre? How do you think it has helped you?

EB: I'm definitely an independent artist when it comes to my work--but by being in this studio it has allowed me to get better at working around other people and with them to work towards a common goal.

IF YOU GO:

New work by Emma Beatrez

Thursday, September 8, 5-9pm

Make Room Gallery, 806 ½ Main Ave, Fargo

RECENTLY IN

Recently in: