Beverley Wolter has journeyed through multiple professions throughout her lifetime, but every endeavor has been steadfastly committed to art or design in some regard. From an early age, she was keenly aware of the creativity that coursed through her veins and recognized the act of being creative was almost like her lifeline.

Beverley grew up in New York and even among the bustling city life, she was always drawn to nature whether it was the glimmering waves of the vast ocean, boats floating in the harbor, twinkling skylines, or vibrant sunsets. Today, it’s easy to spot many of these influences in her work, from the use of her deep, ocean blues and rich, earthy browns, to the distinct horizon lines to her signature “cells” that invite the viewer in for a closer look.

Her style, while it continues to evolve, is undoubtedly the result of her creative past––layered and storied. Beverley began her professional pursuit at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC where she studied jewelry design, interior design and package design. She eventually launched her own decorative painting company, which led her to large-scale abstracts. During that time, she also developed countless techniques for achieving various textures, which she now applies to her abstract art.

While Beverley’s work is aesthetically pleasing, she aims for it to be so much more––connecting with viewers on a soul level.

Q&A with Beverley:

What inspired you to pursue art as a career?

From childhood, I’ve always done art. My dad and I painted a rainbow on my bedroom window when I was really young and from that point on, I wanted to be an artist. I’ve always done drawings and taken art classes, and excelled. It seemed to be a natural gift and it’s always been a place for me to escape.

How did you get your start creating art?

I went to FIT, the Fashion Institute of Technology, in New York City where I studied jewelry design, interior design and package design. It was a fun journey and it led me to multiple professions in the creative field. I owned a nationally recognized, award-winning decorative painting company where I developed hundreds of techniques, many of which I use today in my paintings.

I worked with interior designers in large, high-end homes, learning and developing new trends and color palettes. Walls were my canvas so as my lifestyle and career path changed, moving over to large-scale artworks was an easy transition. Getting into large-scale abstracts has been a lot of fun because I have my own studio and I get to expand what I’m doing.

In the last couple years, I’ve focused on my art. I’m not happy unless I’m doing art. It’s kind of like working out. If I don’t exercise that muscle, then I get sad. So, it’s important to me to create art on a consistent basis. I look forward to developing more techniques and variation in my work. I think it’s important to not get set in your ways.

How did you develop your unique style?

I think by building so many layers in homes, I developed a technique for how I do my finishes and that is the foundation for a lot of my paintings. I have hundreds of sample boards I’ve made for clients over the years, and I think they led me to develop how I paint. By painting often, it’s naturally developed. It’s definitely and intuitive process for me. When I’m painting, I feel like I’m connecting with my higher self.

I strive to create textural confusion for the viewer. I don’t want someone to understand how I create something. I like them to look at one of my pieces and wonder how I created various textures. I want it to draw them in. And that’s a big part of my process––to establish that [curiousity]––and once I get that, it’s then about honing in on the composition and creating a focal point.

What inspires you to create the type of art you do?

I can’t help but be creative, it pretty much runs through me all day long. I think the combination of my life history and study has forged the type of art I do. I’m grateful to say it’s a natural flow that comes from within me. The ideas and visuals come and I execute them. Nature is definitely a major influencer. I see my paintings in my mind’s eye, usually when I’m spending time by the ocean or in the desert or simply while I’m looking at a client’s space. I love the colors on horizon sunsets, whether over the desert, city, field or ocean––and these are often the subject matter of my work.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

I love the process. I love taking a piece from the beginning stages to where I don’t quite know where it’s going to end up to the fine details. When I get really honed into the refinement process, that’s my favorite part because it feels like I’m adding the jewelry––it all gets wrapped up and put together.

Still, no matter how many times I make a new painting, I have to be patient and work the many layers it needs to be completed. Sometimes there is an easy flow and sometimes there is struggle. That can also be with my self talk, so it’s important I pay attention to keeping a positive mindset. Finally, getting to a place where a piece is complete is the best feeling and then varnishing said piece is so satisfying as it always brings everything together and to another level.

Is there a particular piece you’re excited to introduce at the Celebration of Fine Art?

I’m looking forward to sharing a piece I recently completed “Ambient Fractures ll”. It’s a 48” x 60” that contains some of my signature details such as my developed “cells”, which define the details and bring the viewer’s eye in to take a closer look. They contain variations of gilding, shading and raised texture.

It’s a blend with the natural flow of the piece and I feel it brings it to life. I also love the rich, blue hues and tiny pops of color in all the detail work. When viewed from afar, I love for the viewer to take in the composition and visual clues to make their own assumptions for what this piece may resemble and take from their external surroundings.

I also started a new collection of insects and butterflies which is something completely new for me. I’ve been working primarily in abstracts.

What drew you to the Celebration of Fine Art?

I went to the Celebration and fell in love. I had no idea what I was missing. My first time there, I was there for over three hours. I was fascinated by the artists and the art. The amount of talent, skill and energy there is contagious. I felt like I was home and knew I needed to be a part of it.

It’s going to be a completely different experience from working in a gallery. I get to meet potential clients and other artists. I’ll get to know people! I’m excited to get to know the community.