Sarah Beetson's Design Classic

Sarah Beetson's article for Computer Arts on her Coney Island design classic is to be re-published.
The piece which talks about Gregory and Paul's, an eatery under threat of closure, will appear in a new version of the magazine for ipad.
Sarah met the owner Paul at the end of 2011, before Hurricane Sandy changed the face of the Coney Island Beachfront. She says "We shared fried shrimp and coronas. I look forward to seeing Paul again in 2014. This time I hope to paint his portrait!"

Sarah Beetson and owner Paul in 2011

Sarah's article:

My design classic: Gregory and Paul’s

"Under threat of closure for decades, the Coney Island eatery is home to an inspiring array of handmade signage, says illustrator Sarah Beetson. Since 2002, I have made five pilgrimages to the place that inspires me most in the world: Coney Island, on the shores of Brooklyn. My most photographed spot there is Gregory & Paul’s eatery on the boardwalk, which has recently been renamed Paul’s Daughter. Founded by Paul Georgoulakos and his best friend upon their arrival from Greece in 1962, his daughter Tina now runs the show. The original building was constructed in 1939 with rounded corners and ornate wooden pillars. A classic in beachfront architecture, it was revamped in 2012. What’s really special about it though, is that it still incorporates all of Gregory and Paul’s original handpainted signage, with the cotton candy kids Chiefito and Chiefita, and Mr Shrimp still dominating the front panels. Brilliant as the new design looks to be, I’m still kind of sad that the ageing original has gone. Every single item available in the shack is written haphazardly in veritable Technicolor all over the walls; a naively brilliant exploitation of free advertising space. The signwriter has even lent his hand to a ‘Please Wash your Hands’ sign in the employee bathroom. There is a magically authentic retrograde feel about the diner that is evoked by the signs. The place is a permanent pastel- come-spaceage 1960s time capsule".

See more on Sarah Beetson's Coney Island Dream Campaign.

Illustration Now! Fashion

We're very excited to see Sarah Beetson's spreads in the latest from Taschen's Illustration Now! series.
This book, celebrating the fashion genre, features her works such as Green Heart Heels, Flamingo Socks and Escher Striped Shirt and Corset. Illustration Now! Fashion is out now.

The Beetson Compendium

cover of journal

A dream of a job came the way of Sarah Beetson who was asked to create many illustrations to be used in a journal for Compendium. She says "It was a lovely open brief and I had control over the art direction of the entire journal illustrating quotes about natural beauty alongside florals, botanicals and birds. I even got to create my own lined pages!" The final book is a gorgeous celebration of Sarah's work as well as a handy jotter for your day's thoughts! Take a look at the journal.

Sarah Beetson at The Brick Lane Gallery

Exhibiting at The Brick Lane Gallery from next week is Sarah Beetson with her stunning series of paintings; 'The Lost Boys'. The group show entitled 'Crossovers' runs from 23rd May 'til 2nd June, where Sarah will show six paintings - two of which are nearly 2 metres squared in size.

Sarah says " “The Lost Boys” explores the turbulent nature of child celebrity. I wanted to look at the darker more destructive side of Hollywood fame. The seven subjects (Corey Haim, River Phoenix, Heath Ledger, Brad Renfro, Christopher Pettiet, Jonathan Brandis and Sage Stallone) were a generation of boys all born in the 1970s or early 80s, and all began acting in childhood. I grew up watching them in Hollywood movies like “Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead”, “Stand By Me”, “License To Drive, “The Neverending Story II”, “Rocky V”, “Sleepers” and “10 Things I Hate About You”. All died due to substance abuse or suicide in their 20s and 30s."

Molo Kids T-Shirts

These funky designs from Sarah Beetson have been licensed to Molo Kids for two of their T-Shirt designs. As part of the Molo Art Project for the spring/summer collection 2013, seven hand-picked illustrators and graphic artists were chosen to create a print for a t-shirt and to incorporate their signature on the neck of the garment. The line up:

"The ‘molo art’ team and its prints range from Stina Persson’s funky zebra to Sarah Beetson’s wonderful rollerskating legs in sparkly colours. Stina Persson is one of Sweden’s most talented fashion illustrators, and Sarah Beetson, who is British born but based in Australia, can brag about having exhibited her illustrations all over the world and has made store decorations for one of Stella McCartney’s boutiques. The team also includes the Danish graffiti artist who goes by the name of ‘Toys,’ and who is a part of the first wave of graffiti artists in Denmark. ‘Toys’ has interpreted molo’s iconic star. The ‘molo art’ project isn’t just for famous names, though, since molo wants to empower young talent; the artist couple Rack&Nais is a good example of this because their partnership with molo started already back when they both went to Denmark’s Design School."

How Sarah Beetson Created 'Lost' Artwork

Check out Sarah Beetson's  video on making the art for Amanda Palmer's new record 'Lost' from the album "Theatre Is Evil" . See it here.

Lost

This beautifully busy illustration has been created by Sarah Beetson for the song "Lost" by musician Amanda Palmer from Dresden Dolls. Done for the artwork on her upcoming solo album, Amanda asked a large handful of artists, including Shepherd Fairey, Neil Gaiman and Molly Crabapple to create a piece based around one of her songs for the record. Sarah says "The album will be self-published, and Amanda raised over 1 million US dollars in a month via crowdfunding to fund the project: I guess this is what you can expect from social networking when you have over 500,000 Twitter followers!"

Pick Me Up

Making the final 20 artists selected for Somerset House Pick Me Up 2012 is an immensely excited Sarah Beetson.  Pick Me Up is the UK’s contemporary graphic art fair and festival celebrating all forms of graphic arts.  Not only does the fair showcase work from the best illustrators, graphic novelists, cartoonists and designers from the UK, it also offers the opportunity to meet and watch them work. Sarah Beetson will be exhibiting originals, prints, cushions and specially created clothing as well as doing live portraits at the fair for £75 each - it’s a must see if you are in London this month. The exhibition takes place at Somerset House, Embankment Galleries, Strand, London WC2R 1LA and opens on 22nd March, running until 1st April.  For more info look here.

Sarah Beetson wins Creative Review - Best In Book 2011

Sarah Beetson's success continues with the recent announcement that she has won the Creative Review Illustration Annual - Best in Book. Sarah is very excited at the news, her winning 5 entries are from her “I Dream In Celluloid” exhibition showing in London next week. Sarah says of the show:

"“I Dream In Celluloid” is my 4th solo exhibition, exploring the link between an obsession with film and how this affects my dreams. Each morning, I record the night’s dreamings via my dream sketchbook, where I have rediscovered memories from my childhood, my displaced identity and nationality, relayed interactions with friends, colleagues, relations and pets; both dead and alive, past and present. I'm discovering facts about the essence of my existence via my subconscious. I watch a movie every evening, and find elements from these films within my dreams. With support from RADF, the exhibition culminates in a series of larger fake movie posters, a short animation and a giant digitally printed, hand painted embellished quilt cover. It has toured The Gold Coast and Melbourne; Australia, London; UK and will go onto Ottawa; Canada in October 2011."

"I Dream In Celluloid" London opens on Wednesday 3rd August, 6-8pm @ The Brick Lane Gallery, as part of Art in Mind.

The exhibition runs 2nd - 15th August, open daily 1pm - 6pm.

Post-War Trade

Punk mistress Sarah Beetson has just finished a piece for American musician Amanda Palmer.

An illustration for signed artist prints, t-shirts and pillowcases isn’t the first commission from Ms Palmer of band The Dresden Dolls, this one sees Sarah’s provocative imagery on products delivered right to your door. See the merchandise here.

Featured Artist Sarah Beetson and new design collaboration

The fantastic Sarah Beetson is working on a series of fashion illustrations for Melbourne designer Satya James. The images highlight her made-to-order collection of lush corsets and feminine dresses in a style describe as 'posh-punk'. All done in Sarah's bubblegum punk electric style the illustrations will be used for Satya's forthcoming website and displayed at her fashion show at Trash Palace, Soho. You can see her showroom @the electric ballroom, camden town, Sundays.

Beetson in Miami!

Sarah Beetson covers the Miami Herald with her usual colourful, bubblegum style. The article was about a ski club in Miami more renowned for its Martini’s than the skiing trips. She’s an expert at incorporating delicate drawing skills with funky confident colour and text. The client; Philip Brooker says of Sarah: ‘Sarah’s illustration was fantastic, her work seems to fit into the colorful Miami lifestyle’

Fashion Diva Sarah Beetson Takes Us Through The Weekend!

These gorgeous eye catching pieces were commissioned by David Woodside @ the Globe and Mail newspaper in Toronto, Canada. It was 5 fashion illustrations for the style section of the weekend papers, showing how a small selection of clothing can be styled into different looks for different weekend occasions. Good advice for all us party girls!

Beetson Covers Popular Workshop

Sarah Beetson has illustrated a cover for a band called 'Popular Workshop'. Their music has inspired Sarah’s work dramatically and this single; ‘All About Vikki' has provided Sarah with the opportunity to focus her pop genius on portraiture.

Stella And Sarah

When it comes to illustrating articles about creating and customising your own clothes, there is really only one candidate; ­Sarah Beetson... Commissioned by Jason Morris at Stella Magazine; ­part of The Sunday Telegraph, ­the image was entitled 'yeah I made it myself!' It's right up Sarah's street ­putting bits and bobs together in her groovy collage/funky fashion: exactly in tune with the article.

A Fresh Approach

Sarah Beetson has recently teamed up with fashion label 'Hannah' to work on these exciting illustrations.

For Sarah, the illustrations initiated a new approach to fashion work, with a looser-than-usual style of working that helps represent the clothing more accurately.

Machine Vending Art

Opening in Melbourne on 6th June is Sarah Beetson's 2nd Solo Exhibition: "50 Bucks: Bring On The Sluts"

Alongside the gems on view is possibly Australia's first Art Vending Machine (kindly donated by Pepsi Cola) which allows buyers to purchase their artwork directly from the customized dispenser.

Also making waves are some dynamic illustrations of Nick Cave, which Sarah drew live during a recent talk at the Melbourne Art Centre.

Wibble Wobble

This cheery culinary illustration is the creation of Sarah Beetson for The Times newspaper.

Commissioned by Andy Hatch for The Times "Body and Soul" section, the illustration accompanies an article on jelly, and how it makes a low-fat alternative to the usual cakes, creams and trifles!

Champers Hampers

Currently wowing all at the Perth Fashion Week is this anti-drink drive animation from the amazing Sarah Beetson.

The animations were projected onto the sides of several buildings in Perth City Centre, with the tagline: “Champers hampers driving skills”. Never has a police warning looked so cool.

Studio Visit with Sarah Beetson

Our very own Sarah Beetson is featured on The Vine blog, where she is interviewed and her passion for her occupation revealed.

Sarah Beetson is an artist-slash-illustrator with a lot going on. She counts '60s American literature, John Waters, cult film, Japan, rock music, decaying urban typography, and Coney Island as her inspirations, and divides her time between a picturesque farm in Queensland and a Motor Torpedo boat on The Thames.

In the lead up to a long hot summer preparing for her forthcoming exhibition on the Goldcoast, Sarah took us on a studio tour of her working space.How would you describe your art practice?I live for it, 18 hours a day, 7 days a week. Where is your studio and how did you come to work there?My studio is in my house - a converted dairy shed on my boyfriend's family farm at the foot of Mt Tamborine, South East Queensland. It is idyllic, surrounded by rolling hills, creeks, rainforest, cows, chickens, wallabees, exotic birds and organic fruit - avocados, macadamias and custard apples are the main crops. I made the move up here from Melbourne last year and it has truly enabled me to immerse myself fully in my work without distraction. We are still close to Brisbane and The Gold Coast, plus I travel to Melbourne and Sydney every few months and I spend most Northern Hemisphere summers in London onboard a friend's Motor Torpedo boat on The Thames. I get my city fix when I need to but it seems I am a country girl at heart!
 What happens in your studio from week to week besides art-making?I also work as a part-time artist's consultant for Illustration Ltd in London - I am very lucky to be able to do this from my home studio, as well working on illustration commissions and personal work for my own exhibitions.What is important when setting up a space like this?Good storage solutions, technology and internet, and space, space, space, and maximised usage of what you have. Then covering the walls with colour in the form of artwork, cutouts, inspiration material, etc. I like them to be literally dripping with colour.
  
Do you always carry a sketchbook?
No - I generally work at my studio, then gather my inspiration via other means whilst I am away from it. I very often work in a sketchbook though - it is the best way to see the progression and development within a series of works. Occasionally I will work in transit - for example, when I was working on my last exhibition I got stuck in snow drifted Norway waiting for a flight to Heathrow - and I ended up starting a series of aeroplane sick bags - drawing on them as I flew different airlines back to Australia. I also created two large canvas works on the boat in London, which was fun negotiating The Thames Tides and finding my sea legs!
What are these Pollies? How long have you had them?
They began life as a pair of pyjama cases which a family friend created for me when I was born. They were apparently pinned to the wall above my cot, but I pulled them down as soon as I could stand. They have endured numerous outfit changes and still bear the remnants of some appalling childhood sewing moments. One has a missing foot which I rediscovered a few years ago and reattached with a safety pin. I hadn't seen them in 10 years, but once rediscovered in a box in my parents garage - I wondered if they were the subconscious inspiration for the pink cheeks I often give the subjects in my paintings?
  
What's the mood of your mood wall? Did you take all these photos yourself?These particular photos are all my own and were all gathered on a 2008 US Road Trip. They mainly originate from signage in Santa Cruz, Coney Island and The Neon Boneyard in Las Vegas, as well as from the Pinball Hall of Fame. I originally put them up for font inspiration for my BMI Badges and Wordsearches in my last solo exhibition "YOU ARE NOT WHAT YOU EAT", but I left them up as I use so much typography within much of my work.
What are you listening to at the moment?
I am loving the "We Are Only Riders" Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions compilation record. Jeffrey Lee fronted 80s band The Gun Club, who were highly influential but not greatly commercially successful. Jeffrey Lee died in 1996, and a box of his unrecorded demos was later discovered, to be re-recorded in the format of this album by his contemporaries and bands he inspired including Nick Cave, Debbie Harry, Mark Lanegan, Lydia Lunch, Mick Harvey, 16 Horsepower and The Ravonettes.  I just painted Jeffrey Lee's portrait as part of my Unsung Heroes series.
  
What fuels your day?
Coffee in the morning and a boiled egg courtesy of my hens. A glass of Lindauer Fraise can often help if I am working late into the night.
What is great about gouache? How much do you love it?
The best thing about Acryl gouache particularly is its permanence (as it is a mixture of gouache and acrylic), it's incredible quality, and the massive colour range available. I particularly love Japanese brand Turner Acryl Gouache and Holbein Acryla Gouache. Unfortunately I have to ship them in from The States and the UK as their are no stockists in Australia!
What do you think about laws that restrict the sale of spraypaints?I understand why there are restrictions. But I think school kids probably need access to spraypaints if they are interested in developing their art. I once bought a friend's kid a bunch of spraypaints for his 12th birthday, as he was really interested in making murals in his backyard and could not get hold of the paints. Plus - the basic brands can be a lot cheaper than many of the materials found in an art shop. In terms of graffiti laws - I always thought they were pretty appalling. In London there was an anti graffiti campaign that offered cash rewards to anyone tipping off police to graffiti artists' identity. I think any kind of public are should be encouraged and how hard would it really be to provide designated areas for these kids to have an outlet? But I guess the massive success of Banksy, Blek Le Rat and the Melbourne Street Artists has already changed the path of graffiti culture going forward.
  
How does an artwork evolve? Chance or planning?
I begin by conceiving an idea or a theme for a painting or series. I will then spend time researching that theme via books, internet, film, museums, etc, and further clarify the direction of the work. I will then source photographic reference, either by setting up my own small photoshoots or using found reference. I greatly admire those gifted with a photographic memory who are able to draw from the pictures in their mind – but that is not me. I like to surround myself with as much information as possible about the subjects before I begin. Then, halfway through the process, the painting begins. By this time I have planned out much of the composition and materials I will incorporate. But I never have a preconceived idea set in stone of how the piece will look when finished, and I always surprise myself with the outcome.
  
Does your desk feel like "home"?
It feels like a perfect combination of production and madness.
How do you balance creativity and chaos?
I don't - I just work through it! But time out with my hens, yoga and swimming often help.
You have chicken and cow friends to keep you company!
The cows don't have names as they often leave us for market - so I try not to get attached. Although there have been several generations of white-faced Santa Gertrudis calfs that have been named 'Baby White Face I, II, III' etc. Our last Bull, named Dave, made an appearance on a canvas bag I painted and embroidered with a Richard Brautigan poem for an LMFF show at The Australian Poetry Centre. 

My chickens are adopted ex-battery hens and are named as follows: Lee Mellon, Sal Paradise, Angelina, Ignatius J.Reilly, Joanie, Sunny and Isabella Blow. 
A Billy Idol quote that inspires you!
OK, I narrowed it down to three:
 
Russian roulette no fun / I don't need a gun / I just need someone
 
If I had the chance / I'd ask the world to dance / And not be dancing with myself

It's a nice day to start again / WOW! / There is nothing fair in this world / There is nothing safe in this world / And there's nothing sure in this world / And there's nothing pure in this world / Look for something left in this world / ohooooooooooooh / Start Again!
Sarah Beetson is represented by 19 Karen in Queensland. Look out for her solo exhibition there in 2011.

See Sarah Beetson's full portfolio here.