Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Beverly Carlson-Bradshaw. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Beverly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had started sooner?

I learned to draw from my Father at a young age but even though I was passionate about it and felt it was the one thing I did well, I also didn’t want to be a starving artist. Back when I graduated from High School in the 70’s and in Montana, it seemed the only directions I could take with art was to teach it or be a graphic artist which neither appealed to me at the time. Funny in that I now teach Beginning Pastel on a part-time basis. I kind of regret not getting a Fine Art degree but it wasn’t in the cards and I went on to do interior design work. I think we are on a path we were meant to be and I am enjoying now that I’m only working part-time.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

With regards to my art I really enjoy painting animals, birds and landscapes. I believe our early years of where we are does mold us as I grew up on a farm till I was 13. I loved the animals and also, the landscape of the Big Sky country has always stayed with me. I moved to Seattle when I was 26 and lived there for 34 years. I now live in Arizona and enjoy getting to paint outside when weather permits. I take at least one to two workshops a year and try to get in the time to paint as much as I can and keep learning. I am a member of Arizona Pastel Artists Assoc., the West Coast Pastel Society, Red Rock Pastel Society, Sonoran Arts League, Artists in Arizona and show at The Finer Arts Gallery in Cave Creek, AZ. I teach at the Sonoran Arts League and The Holland Center Fine Arts.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I believe the most rewarding part of being an artist is to see someone go up to one of your paintings and really study it and then buy it! It feels good to know that you have touched someone somewhere in the psyche with what you created.

It is also a great way to get to know like minded people as yourself by joining different organizations that you may have never met before.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I believe now that I have had the time to really put in to create especially during the COVID years, I don’t want to ever stop again. There is so much to learn and I don’t think you ever stop learning about your medium. I want to become the best I can become and feel good about what I am creating. When I create I don’t think about anything or anyone else but that piece of paper in front of me and what I’m doing with it.

I would however like to strive for being in Cowgirls Up show in Wickenberg, AZ. I have not yet applied but I hope to soon!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.beverlybradshawart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beverlybradshawart/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=beverly%20bradshaw%20art

Image Credits
Mountain photo – Marie Bedard Caton photographer (FB Artists Reference Photos) Hawk – Roy L. Herron (FB Artists Reference Photos)