Artist of the day: Artist of the Day, June 16, 2023: Sarah Beetson, a British-Australian emerging illustrator (#1829)

The carefully controlled chaos, rainbow colours and sheer exuberance of Sarah Beetson’s artworks have made her one of the world’s most renowned contemporary illustrators. Pop culture is rendered with a retro twist through her figurative line work, vibrant colours, sparkles and paint splatters, resulting in work that brings a refreshing and imaginative edge to her clients’ projects.

Working in fashion, editorial and publishing, Sarah has exhibited in galleries around the world. Spending most of her year in Queensland, Australia, returning to the UK for a few months now and again, she also takes on artist residencies, such as her project depicting Coney Island, New York. Sarah has a BA in Illustration with first class honours from Falmouth College of Arts. Influences include Antoni Gaudi, Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Julie Verhoeven, Antonio Lopez and Jamie Hewlett.

Sarah begins by creating a background using spray paint, tissue paper and/or collage, which is applied to paper, wood, a photographic print or fabric. She then draws the linework in pen. The image is rounded off with a full range of additions such as acryl-gouache, markers, gel pens, crayon, stickers, vintage magazine clippings, beads, sequins, Letraset…and more. Sarah also works in layers using Photoshop so that edits can be accommodated.

From out of the chaos emerges glorious illustration work that finely balances colour, line and texture for a unique effect – Sarah’s own personal take on Pop Art.

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