We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Severyn Beekman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Severyn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I’ve gained most of my knowledge from books and YouTube, however some of my different crafts I’ve sort of just jumped into and taught myself. Things like sculpture, costume design, pyrography, and wire wrapped jewelry I have taught myself most techniques. Experimenting with a new craft or medium is what I enjoy most about creating art – I suppose that is why I am more of a “jack of all trades is a master of none” or could be considered a generalist. Not having a single craft or focus in my art has probably been my biggest obstacle. I literally cannot stop picking up a new form of art. If I could just stay focused on let’s say jewelry making or costume design I feel that I could really level up my skills.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Hello readers! I am Severyn Beekman and I am an artist and performer living in Springfield Illinois. I really feel like I’m juggling too many things most of the time since I still work what I call a jobby- job alongside my hobby-job. I currently work full time at a locally owned screen-printing/embroidery shop. When I’m not running embroidery machines I am working in my art studio or dreaming up my next creative project or performance. My crafts include jewelry-making, macramé, sculpture, costume design, and oddity/bone art of different sorts. I also dabble in creative writing, stop-motion animation, and music. For commission work, I can do custom jewelry pieces for folks that want crystals, bones, flowers, or other keepsakes either wire wrapped. electroformed, or set in resin. I make wood-burned pet portraits of kitties and dogs, and I also do commissions for custom headpieces and crowns. Most of the wearable art and costumes I make are for performance purposes. Burlesque costumes are usually handmade and since I have a sewing machine and a non-stop creative ticker I like to create my own original designs. Performing with fire also requires me to make or alter my own costumes since fire safe clothing is expensive or hard to find. Street performing has also sparked my interest in doing large almost carnival like creations like giant wearable puppets. I honestly feel there is no limit to creativity and being an artist has and always will be something that I pursue. Ever since I was a kid I was creating jewelry and costumes. If there is one thing that adulthood hasn’t squashed, it’s my desire to be creative even if it is weird! One of my methods of artistic madness is going antique shopping or “antiqueing” as I call it, and finding treasures I can alter or use in my art. Recently I found an old model clipper ship and immediately felt compelled to wear it has a hat. I am currently working on making it into a headpiece! I think the piece I am most proud of is the macramé dress and headdress I designed for last years fashion show. I have seen wearable macramé on Etsy and Pinterest before and have made some pieces in the past, but this piece I think is my most impressive. I was in such a flow state when making it I honestly don’t even know how it all came together or if I could replicate it. Since expanding on my skills in macramé I have been sharing my knowledge with others by hosting macramé classes and workshops including a macramé plant hanger workshop coming up this Spring.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the satisfaction that comes with manifesting a creative vision. It’s when I have an idea that seems too absurd or impractical to do and surprising myself with my own ability in trying that absurd idea and making it a reality – that really feels good.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think society could better support artists first by keeping and expanding on art classes and opportunities in schools. I also think if we could foster more models like trade schools but focused more on artistic trades for students wanting to take their creative endeavors further after high school without having to consider the expense of a four year degree at a college.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.severyndesigns.com
• Instagram: instagram @ sevdezigns
• Facebook: facebook @ Severyn Designs

Image Credits
Bridget Shaw Vertrell Yates