1/10/23
An interview with Shawn Beesley.
How did you become interested in this type of art?
The long and winding road approach, I suppose. I went from printmaking to painting to collage to making boxes. They seem all intertwined now. But the genesis of boxes came from working in a small photo lab in Seattle. I did some of the mailing and shipping for the front counter customers. Every order was always different because of all the different size prints. They never wanted them rolled up, so I had to construct a box to fit the order. I usually started with 48″ x 96″ cardboard. Score, cut and tape, and voila, you have a box. I got good at it. Then I discovered the sheets of white Bristol board that were used to stiffen the photo paper. I used to collect them, take them back to the studio and score, cut and tape. Viola, box.
Do you have any rules or self-imposed limitations?
No. I just know bigger isn’t always better. I have made some large paper sculptures and they are so much more work and detail that I prefer smaller. After all it is just paper and sticks.
What is the inspiration behind your artwork?
Life. Love just watching nature unfold before me. I try to be observant of what is going on around me. If I talk about the artist who have inspired me it would be Goya, Matta, Max Ernst. Surrealists mostly.
What motivates you to create a particular composition?
I am not sure. I rarely go into a piece from a drawing. I might doodle or start drawing detail after I have started a box. But rarely do I have a whole thought put together. Each piece I add on just inspires the next piece. I get some shapes and image from dreams or visions when I close my eyes. Shapes and shadows on the eye lids. Stuff like that. Then I just want to continue to see where it goes. I am never really sure. I think that is why I enjoy it so much. No plans, just react. Know your material and let it speak to you and the rest is instinct.
How much flexibility do you allow yourself in your work?
A bunch. Since I don’t know where I am going three-quarters of the time, I need to be flexible.
How is your work different from others?
I don’t know. They are not me. I am not them. Not to be flip but I try not compare myself to other artists. I learned early on that I wasn’t going to be the next Goya. I realized I can only be the best me. What you see is what I am.
Your use of material and colors is very distinctive. Can you tell us more about it?
The colors you see with your eyes are a blend of everything. The color of the ground beneath the grass, the color of the grass behind the bush, juxtaposition of colors and the color of the air between it all. Nothing is just one color. When I was producing more paintings, I had a friend who called me a colorist. Don’t know if that was a thing but I thought it sounded good.
What tools and supplies do you use to create your art?
Rulers, X-acto blades, compass. templates, 0.7 mechanical pencils, various colored leads. Bristol board, decorative paper, bass wood, acrylic medium and acrylic paint.
Do you have any favorite colors?
I like them all.
