Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeline Beaudry.
Hi Madeline, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As long as I can remember, I have been interested in art. Although I majored in biology in college, I took most of my electives in art, particularly ceramic art. Career-wise, I went from teaching to health care and eventually spent the bulk of my professional life as a sales representative for a major diagnostic company. During these early years, I continued working as a potter with a local art association in my free time. When job moves, travel, and family obligations made working in a community pottery studio impossible, I started learning the craft of doll making. I have studied with internationally known artists and have shown my work throughout the east coast. Many of my doll sculptures are in private collections all over the country.
During my journey as a doll maker, I began taking felting lessons, which helped me further personalize my work and explore the world of fabric and wearable art. Integrating different mediums has always fascinated me, and I have particular affinity for mediums that have lives of their own. For example, clay is given over to the fire; wool and silk move and bond in ways one tries to control but, at times, leads to fortuitous surprises; and always, there is that moment in making a human sculpture when the work begins to take on a life and personality all its own, and that moment pure magic!
Always enchanted by the human form, especially faces, I have begun to use all my previously explored elements to express human spiritual and emotional experiences. These days, I consider myself a mixed media artist using clay, fiber, acrylic, and joomchi (Korean art of paper making) to express whatever the muse is trying to communicate through me.
For five years, I have been living between Florida and Rhode Island. Up north, I regularly show at the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery Of Westerly. In Florida, I am a member of the Florida Women’s Art Association and the Art League of Daytona Beach and participate in their events. I also enjoy continuing my artistic education at the HUB on Canal and The Artists Workshop of New Smyrna Beach and occasionally participate in their shows
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Starting without a formal education in the arts has always been a challenge for me but I have tried to make up for it by continuing my artistic education and learning from accomplished artists. Also, in the past, balancing art with other life obligations required very creative scheduling. These days, however, with much of that behind me, it has become easier. Now it is a matter of balancing energy since that is the one thing in limited supply.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I try to maintain a serious work ethic. Whether I feel inspired or not, always show up. Often, almost always, the muse appears, inspiration comes. After all, it is called artWORK for a reason. I am most proud that I kept on when life presented many obstacles. I hope is that my work will touch people on an emotional or spiritual level. People tell me that my dolls especially do this, which is very satisfying for me as an artist.
To young people in similar situations, I would say, never give up on your dreams, and to older people I would say it is never too late.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Rue Magic Studio
