Today we’d like to introduce you to Becky Chappell.

Becky, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

I can’t remember when I wasn’t interested in art! As a child I was always drawing and dreamed of being an artist, although I was told it wasn’t possible or practical and believed it. In my 20’s I was hired to learn how to do scrimshaw for a jewelry maker, and that started it all. I did only scrimshaw for about 8 years, working for several jewelry makers. After that I always had other jobs, but I was involved with art in some way most of the time. I taught a little, entered some shows, did some art fairs, had a small business painting murals. There was always this burning flame inside that was my desire to create art.
It was after my son passed away in 2008 that I decided to devote myself completely to my art. I became very involved with the local art center teaching classes and exhibiting my work and entering shows. This is what I’ve done ever since. I simply cannot imagine my life without my art.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

It hasn’t always been smooth. Having children and having to make money leaves little time and energy. The desire was always there though, and I couldn’t put out that flame. Of course, having a space to create and money for supplies hasn’t always been easy either.
And, as every artist can attest to, there’s always that doubt that you’ll ever be good enough, ever be a ‘real’ artist, much less call yourself one. Lucky for me, I had that fire in me to keep going, to keep learning.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I paint abstracts and also landscapes, mainly. My mediums are acrylic, watercolor, oil and cold wax, collage, pastel. There are hardly any mediums that haven’t found their way into my work, I love it all. I should say that I specialize in oil and cold wax abstracts and pastel landscapes; these are what I’m mostly known for. I am especially proud of much of my abstract work. I was drawn to abstract beginning in 2012 but had no idea how to start, and I just had to start exploring, learning from other artists and experimenting. It’s been a wonderful journey and I’ve learned so much. It’s been thrilling to come to the realization that all the skills you’ve learned as an artist come into play in abstract painting. Actually, painting in abstract has strengthened those skills.
I believe what sets me apart from other artists is the variety in my art.
I also love inspiring and encouraging other artists. I’ve always had a dream of having someone to mentor in exchange for help with some of the small tasks that I have a hard time getting to.

What were you like growing up?

As a young kid, I played a lot by myself. I was shy and introverted. I was a dreamer, very sensitive and loved being off on my own, wandering through the woods, riding a make believe horse or drawing. I spent a lot of time just imagining.
Some time around my teens, I began ‘acting’ more outgoing, less sensitive, more extroverted. Our society teaches us that extroversion is more valuable, at least it did at that time. I think I spent many years pretending to be someone I wasn’t.
Now I know who I am, and I can be comfortable with anyone, in any situation. I enjoy people, and most people don’t see me as an introvert. But I still am, I still recharge by being by myself, and thoroughly enjoy it. It’s just that I recognize that I need that connection with people, but on a limited basis.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.beckychappellart.com
• Instagram: @chappbj3353
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/becky.chappell.art, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565079413186