We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bee Lysko. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bee below.

Bee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

The short answer: Forever— but I wasn’t really sure how.

I’ve always been creative and enjoyed making art. Whether it was being the only student in the hallway in 2nd grade making a life-size paper maché statue, learning drawing techniques from my dad and local art teacher, altering thrifted clothes at the dining room table, or designing tattoos for people— I’ve never not been involved in one art medium or another over the last three decades.

I’d get paid here and there for different projects or pieces, but after many nudges from friends, family, and especially my husband, I decided to take the leap.

I had big ideas of what a career in the art field would look like for me but it all seemed unattainable. After many conversations with people close to me I realized I could make that art career whatever I wanted if I worked at it hard enough. That was about five years ago.

Bee, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I never really know how to explain how I “got into art”. I think it’s something we’re introduced to at a very young age and for some people, it just eventually falls out of their life. For others, including myself, we follow it our whole lives.

My specific brand of art is based off of being loud and trying to make a difference when I can. I’m a feminist, I’m queer, I believe that Trans rights are human rights, and I make that (plus much more) very well-known and visible in all of my art mediums. It can be uncomfortable to be outspoken and loud and some people aren’t ready or safe to do that themselves yet, so I’m really proud of that.

I have a hard time sticking to one medium and I don’t think anyone should feel beholden to just one if they don’t want to be. I mainly draw, paint, work with polymer clay, and I now making my own clothing and bags! Recently I began embroidering (what I think are) super dope felt earrings. You never really know what you’ll find me making on any given day, but those are absolutely my favorites and what you can find on my website.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

It can be so easy to support Creatives, especially in today’s world of technology. A simple share, save, or like can result in the algorithms pushing out your favorite artists to other people, and that can lead to new followers and sometimes new customers. A little click can go a very long way!

Two phrases to practice living by can boost the Creative Ecosystem as well: “Shop Small,” and “Shop Local.” Seeking out small and local businesses to do your shopping is 100% the way to go if you’re looking to inject money and life into the arts.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The goal and mission, admittedly, is always paying my bills. I wish there was a cooler answer to this but the fact is a lot of artists and small business Creatives are just trying to make a living like everyone else. There doesn’t need a to be a grander goal in that, in my opinion. Art and the work artists put out is important, and historically we know that but society often tends to acknowledge an artist’s work after they’re gone. So appreciate the living artists as well so we can buy groceries!

Soapbox aside, I often donate a portion of my proceeds to different mutual aids. I regularly raise money for our local Reproductive Justice League, Gender Affirming Healthcare, and for local Community Art Days I’ve hosted. Contributing to my community and helping those in need when I can is a constant and ongoing goal for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beelyskoart.com
• Instagram: @beelysko
• Facebook: Bee Lysko Art
• Other: Threads: @beelyskoart
  Bluesky: @beelyskoart
  TikTok: @boobeelyskoart