Ken Beckles
The Queen © Ken Beckles
I was born in Manhattan in New York City and I grew up there and
it was very exciting to be at the center of the world and everything
that was going on. I grew up in a poor neighborhood but it was very
valuable in spirit and life force. I have lived in Manhattan all of
my life and I find it a special place to live and work.
Where did you study?
I attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York at night while I
worked during the day. My curriculum at Pratt was advertising design
and visual communication but I taught myself to paint and take
photographs. I am now an abstract painter and photographer. I was a
photographer before I started to paint but now I do both.
Did your parents encourage your artistic career?
My parents didn't encourage me to be an artist and basically they
let me do what I wanted as a career. They were of the school of
thought
that art is a very difficult way to make a living.
Who or what influenced you the most?
As I said I wasn't influenced by school or professors when it
comes to influence on my art and if anything it was the energy of
New
York city that was the greatest influence.
I started my art career by painting every night until I had a
body
of work and then I stated to try and get shows to show my work. It
was very difficult to both paint and try to get shows but I put out
a
major effort until I was able to get shows around the world and
looking for gallery representation and an agent. I am still
basically
using the same approach but since I have a body of 400 paintings I
concentrate on shows and sales at this time.
Do you live solely on your art work?
Yes. I am living solely on my art and photographic sales and stock
market investments.
What camera do you use?
I use a Canon 5d to take pictures.
Do you publish your photography?
Yes I publish my photos in magazines.
Where did you exhibit your art?
I have exhibited in France, Spain, Germany, Canada, Brazil,
Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.
Benhanzin©Ken Beckles