Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bee Russell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Bee, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
A project that I worked on (very recently actually!) for school somehow managed to become one of my favorite pieces I’ve ever made. The prompt for the project was to make 3 different pieces of art that encompass one overarching theme. My theme that I went with was the idea of joy and authenticity; representing who I am in the most vulnerable way I could. However, the piece that stuck with both my audience and myself the most, was the one where I quite literally wore my heart on my sleeve in the form of a giant quilted jumpsuit. The way I came up with the idea was inspired by a project one of my classmates had done prior to this one, where they created a wearable metal corset. All I could think of was, “Man, that was so cool and creative, why haven’t I done anything like that?”. So, when the opportunity came for me to go all out and make something that I otherwise would have been way to scared to make, I leapt at it! I wasn’t that great at metal art though, so I used my love of sewing and quilting to make the most ambitious and outrageous pieces I’ve ever made! To me, the jumpsuit, or as I like to call it my “Frankenstein’s Monster”, Is as if i turned myself inside out and let everyone see the most vulnerable parts of me. When I presented the jumpsuit, I had also covered it in my personal collection of pins and buttons; Years worth of collecting that I was only now seeing all in one place for the first time. Those pins combined with the patchwork of patterns and textures represents everything that makes me who I am. A patchwork of memories, emotions, the people I know, and the places and things I’ve seen over the course of my life, put out there for the whole world to see. Its by far the craziest and most unique piece I’ve ever made, and I feel like my sewing game totally leveled up thanks to it! It also allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and try something a little different, which I’ll definitely be doing more in the future thanks to it!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
To those who are finding out about me for the first time, Hi!!! My name is Bee, and I’m a multi-media artist based in Colorado! I have a long history with art and just creating in general, having been drawing since my early days of elementary school all the way up to now where its now my profession! I love art for the feeling it gives me, both when I’m making it or when I see it, its just pure joy and passion! My goal with my work is to give people that same feeling, and maybe even sparking a passion in them too just as art did for me. I most enjoy working with bright, punchy colors and unusual subject matter, drawing most of my inspiration from nature and science, as well as things that I just enjoy. I want my clients/fans/followers/ or whatever-have-you to know that I love to make you smile, and that the goal of my work is to give you something to be happy or passionate about, whether that be through the subject matter of my work or the message it conveys.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Oh gosh, absolutely! If I had known about all the amazing advice and tips you can get from other artist and creatives on the internet when I was younger, I would be way ahead of my time! I’ve found some of my favorite tips and tricks on making art through TikTok of all places! I’d just be randomly scrolling in bed one night and suddenly come across a video that completely changes how I create my work haha! I’m sure I’m not the only artist that has their own Pinterest board entirely dedicated to reference photos either! But in all seriousness, my very best resources have come from other artist, even those who make different kinds of art like musicians or writers! They’ve made a world of a difference for me, and I’m eternally grateful for all that I’ve learned from those around me. Its always ok to ask for help, no matter how advanced you may be!
We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
Me personally, I’m not a fan. I feel like NFT’s push the idea that art is only something to be bought and sold, and not something to be admired or examined., which is a view I find highly problematic. I believe all art has a purpose, whether the artist intended it to or not, and I feel like that purpose should be appreciated!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @lofi_shrimp
