Meet Beverly Carlson-Bradshaw

We recently connected with Beverly Carlson-Bradshaw and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Beverly, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
My confidence grew when I opened my own Interior Design firm back in Seattle in 2000. It has helped me now in my return to art full time art after retiring to AZ. I’ve always had a good eye for color. I also believe it is a matter of putting the hours in painting and you gain more confidence in every painting you do.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I started drawing at a young age. I grew up on a farm in MT and would draw the animals. Throughout the years I did oil painting, colored pencil, watercolor but eventually found pastels to be my chosen medium. I worked full time and would take some night courses in art when possible.

When I moved to Seattle in my 20’s I did the same taking classes in the evening for about a year. However, the last 10 years before moving to AZ, my design business was far too busy to paint. A year after I moved here in 2019 I started painting again full time.

I enjoy painting landscapes and animals the most but I am branching out trying figures and floral. I am drawn to the lighting and shadows in my subjects and the beauty of a sunset or an animal.

I’m a member of The Arizona Pastel Association; Pastel Society of the West Coast; Artists in Arizona; Sonoran Arts League; and Red Rock Pastel Society.
My work is shown in The Finer Arts Gallery in Cave Creek, AZ.

I teach Beginning Pastel at The Sonoran Art League and The Holland Center for Fine Art.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I believe it is important to have good drawing skills to have a good painting. Constantly putting in the time drawing to begin with for someone starting out. I also think it is very helpful to take workshops to learn different techniques from different artists. Or there are some great online courses or watching someone is very helpful. Like Artists Network is a great online resource that doesn’t break the bank.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I had a mentor back in Seattle who was very helpful and I studied under him for a year. Again, I also believe being with other artists in a workshop and learning different techniques. It also helps to join organizations to meet other artists that can support you.

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