Name: Artists’ Reception: Abya Yala / Radiant Energy
Start: 2024-11-09T17:00:00-08:00
End: 2024-11-09T19:00:00-08:00
Location: Columbia City Gallery

Artist Spotlight: Jacqui Beck is an artist, art educator, and creativity coach who’s been a member of Columbia City Gallery for 17 years. Her newest works will be featured in our upcoming exhibit Visions. Opening reception will be Saturday, Sept 30 from 5-7pm. Hope to see you there!
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What are your secret talents?

Tuning pianos, playing the banjo, sign language (though I’m not very good at it)

What were your best concerts?

Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie; Seattle Men’s Chorus when Holly Near was a guest; Zoo Concerts: Nancy Griffith; Randy Newman; Indigo Girls

Are you an avid collector of anything?

I collect old worn-out things that I find in the street and under roots. I keep them in my studio in dishes on the window sill because I love them and they inspire me.

Where is the coolest place you traveled? Where would you most want to travel to?

I have loved traveling in Spain, Portugal, France and Italy and I’d love to go to Ireland.

What is something that always makes you laugh?

Odd translations from other languages; Calvin and Hobbes

What is the best Halloween costume you ever wore?

Dr. Fix It

What are your favorite quotes?

I dwell in possibility – Emily Dickinson

A myth is something that is true on the inside but not true on the outside – Gertrude Nelson’s son

Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them – Brené Brown

Curiosity is the secret – Elizabeth Gilbert

If at first an idea isn’t absurd there’s not hope for it – Albert Einstein

All evil happens when you start treating people, any people, like they’re things – Neil Gaimon (Granny Waterwax)

I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again – Stephen Grellet

and my favorite for the last few weeks:

I prefer the absurdity of writing poems to the absurdity of not writing poems – Wislawa Syborska

What are some of your favorite books?

I love the book I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (who also, strangely, wrote 101 Dalmations). I also love The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd and Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver

What TV shows are you watching right now?

Queer Eye

What movie could you quote by heart?

Remember the Titans

What is the best advice you ever received?

In painting, that gesture is more important than accuracy – Skip Lawrence
A painting is finished when you’re 87% satisfied – Skip Lawrence

Artists who inspire you?

Skip Lawrence, Carla Dimitriou, Faye Jones, Jesse Reno, Laura Wait, Maren Larsen, Marita Dingas, Larry Calkins, Milton Avery, Pat Sans Soucie, Rick Bartow, Ric Gendron, Rodney Hatfield, Terry Turrell, Marc Chagall, Wendolyn Matson, William Cumming, El Anatsui, Jean Michel Basquiat, Kenneth Patchen, Gigi Mills, Squeek Carnwith

Where do you find inspiration?

I’m inspired by what is important to me. I believe that connection with each other, with the earth and nature and animals, with work that serves others, with things that make us laugh and things we love, with art and music and making things all mix around and show up in my work.

What motivates you to create?

I am happiest and most fulfilled when I create. I love to solve problems and figure things out. Sometimes I need a push from inside myself to get to the studio. There are so many other things I need to do in my life and I get caught up in these, but once I get to the studio I feel the tug of inner creating. It doesn’t take long to get started.

Does your art practice help you in other areas of your life?