Today we’d like to introduce you to Bebe Keith.
Hi Bebe, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Thanks a lot! I was the kid who drew all of the time. I loved drawing! But then I grew up and forgot about those simple pleasures for a while as I went to school, working, living. I was teaching elementary school and after a dozen years or so I was in need of a break, so I went back to school for graphic design. That’s when I rediscovered my love for drawing and art. I tried making a few stained glass mosaics and entered one in the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Competition. To my surprise, it was not only accepted, it won a ribbon and I was picked up by an art consultant.
What followed was a dozen years of stained glass mosaics for private collections and public art spaces, mostly for healthcare settings such as hospitals and clinics across the country. I started to get itchy to try a new medium, so I started experimenting with paper mosaic collages and was energized by the freshness of it all. When I moved in 2017, I sold all of my glass supplies and equipment.
Since that time, I’ve been creating art in a variety of media – acrylic and mixed media, watercolor and ink, pastels, macrame, oils, and more. I did a project during the pandemic drawing a face every day for a year in watercolor and ink with colored pencils. That was very satisfying! Right now I’m trying to wade through all of the media and subjects that I love to figure out my next thing!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been a very smooth road! I did not seek out a career in the arts beyond graphic design. I never really had time to do graphic design because the visual arts took off so quickly. I was picked up by galleries and quickly moved into the realm of public art. Since then, the public art projects have gotten larger and I’ve been working with fabricators. In the last couple of years, I’ve designed three terrazzo floors in addition to smaller projects.
I have three books out with stained glass mosaic illustrations, and more recently I’ve done several online courses with Udemy. I also have a licensing agreement with a card company. I appreciate all of these sources of passive income to supplement my direct and gallery art sales and public art commissions.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Lately, I’m most known for my watercolor and ink portraits. I did a personal face-a-day challenge recently in which I painted a portrait every day for a year. I’ve done close to 500 portraits and I still love making them! Over time I developed my own style. I offer an instructional class on Udemy called “Stylized Watercolor Portraits” that goes through the process.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’ve learned that it isn’t worth my time to be too self-critical. I just make what I love. I do my best. I have confidence in what I do, but I still am thrilled and a little surprised when a piece of art sells. Someone else loves something I made and wants to live with it? How wonderful! What a gift. I’m so grateful to my collectors!
Pricing:
- Original watercolors start at $75 at https://www.bebekeith.com/
- All of my available art is either for sale on my site or in local galleries.
- Books are available at https://www.bebekeith.com/bookstore
- Online classes: https://www.udemy.com/user/bebe-keith/
- Look for my cards at https://www.artiststowatch.com/bebe_keith#1
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bebekeith.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bebekeithdesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bebekeithdesigns/
- Other: https://www.udemy.com/user/bebe-keith/
