CONTEMPORARY & NEO-EXPRESSIONISTIC ARTIST
OPEN FOR COMMISSIONS
BIOGRAPHY
ARTIST STATEMENT
ARTIST STATEMENT
Sean K Beagan is an American contemporary and neo-expressionistic artist, with a passion for telling stories through a variety of means; fine art, stand-up comedy, and filmmaking (directing, writing, acting).
Beagan discovered his love for art at a very young age, and gravitated towards painting in 2009. He is self-taught, and his biggest
Sean K Beagan is an American contemporary and neo-expressionistic artist, with a passion for telling stories through a variety of means; fine art, stand-up comedy, and filmmaking (directing, writing, acting).
Beagan discovered his love for art at a very young age, and gravitated towards painting in 2009. He is self-taught, and his biggest influences are Jean Michel Basquiat and Gustav Klimt.
Beagan’s vibrant and thought-provoking work continues to be showcased nationally, at museums, galleries, pop-up exhibitions, festivals, restaurants, bars, and more.
ARTIST STATEMENT
ARTIST STATEMENT
ARTIST STATEMENT
The modern condition has us living in dead times. We are a society that has severed its soul. Anything that can't be produced or consumed for a monetary amount, has been deemed unnecessary. Because this is a false way of living, we are consistently in a state of desire and dissatisfaction. To solve this massive dilemma and escape these de
The modern condition has us living in dead times. We are a society that has severed its soul. Anything that can't be produced or consumed for a monetary amount, has been deemed unnecessary. Because this is a false way of living, we are consistently in a state of desire and dissatisfaction. To solve this massive dilemma and escape these dead times, I believe it's important to reattach yourself to your soul, through psychedelic experiences, mediation, a healthy diet and good conversation. My mission with art, is to bring more awareness to this modern condition, and become part of the narrative that reminds people to connect and stay in sync with their soul.
INTERVIEW 2021
ARTIST STATEMENT
INTERVIEW 2021
What is your process when it comes to painting? Do you work on one painting from start to finish, or have a couple going at a time?
I work on a few paintings at a time, unless there’s a commission and a deadline. Then that painting becomes my priority but I like to paint on multiple paintings at once. I will sometimes have an idea or tho
What is your process when it comes to painting? Do you work on one painting from start to finish, or have a couple going at a time?
I work on a few paintings at a time, unless there’s a commission and a deadline. Then that painting becomes my priority but I like to paint on multiple paintings at once. I will sometimes have an idea or thought and want to see it take shape, those paintings usually happen quickly. And other times I start by putting random colors on the canvas. The goal is to cover the canvas and think about what I want to do next.
You seem to have a very sustainable approach to your art, when it comes to materials. Can you share with us?
I think my approach is so sustainable because my overhead is so low. When it comes to getting materials I am always thrifting for vintage frames, or getting canvases in bulk. When I first started my mom would send me materials from discarded crafts, like spray paint or thick art markers. I also use paint brushes until the brush bristles are falling out and then cut them so they’re shorter. I also will find stuff around my neighborhood I can paint on. I once took four drawers and used the inside to paint on the edges of the drawer as a frame. That is something I’ve learned from Basquiat. I take everything I am given or find and know I will find a use for it. Every material will get plastered to a canvas.
Do you have a favorite paint brand that you like to use, and if so, why/what sets them apart?
Because I never throw any paint away, I have used a bunch of them. I like Craft Smart and Liquitex Basics Acrylics. I like using them because they’re thick but easy to control. If you have ever used dollar store paint or really cheap paint, I think you will find an appreciation for good paint.
What is your current studio vs your ideal/dream studio set up?
I am currently painting in a hallway that leads to my bedroom and my living room. My wife and I move a lot so adapting to space, or painting in small spaces is something I’ve grown used to. I’ve painted in kitchens, closets, and hallways with a big box of paint, and a zip lock bag of paint brushes. So my studio is pretty mobile.
My ideal studio would be in a room with a good work table, some windows and good lighting. I’ve never had that; so that would be awesome.
What inspires you, and when do you feel the most creative?
I’m inspired by many things, other pieces of art, street art, photography, and movies.. I might see an old picture of a Hollywood actress and like the pose and think let me see if I can paint that pose.
I feel the most creative at night, but do a lot of painting during the day. I try to treat it like a full time job, so I paint at least 8 hours a day and I think when you do that it’s easier to tap into the creative muses as opposed to waiting for them to approach you.
Do you listen to music when you paint? If so, do you have any favorite artists or albums?
I hate painting in silence so something always has to be playing. Music is super important to me and my creative process. I’m a big fan of all types of music. I feel like when people say that they mean what they hear on the radio but I really have a strange taste in tunes. I am into synth bands that sound really 80s like The Midnight, or Gunship. Other bands I can always listen to are JEFF the Brotherhood, Silver Jews, and the Coup.
I’ll make Spotify playlists every few months with stuff I hear or fit a specific mood. The last playlist I made was called Dance Party 2021 and it’s filled with everything from Twin Shadow to Britney Spears, to 80s dance music.
I also get into one song from one artist and will listen to it for hours on end while I paint, if I ever do that I will name the painting something similar to the name of the song. I just did that with VHS Collection’s song Sign and used a lyric or two to name some smaller paintings and now I’m listening to an Orville Peck song called Dead of Night. So I’m sure that’ll be the title of a painting down the road.
What about podcasts or anything else?
I might throw on a movie and listen to it in the background, or YouTube videos.
I like podcasts and audiobooks. Sometimes it’s nice to hear people talking. The podcasts I subscribe to are The Boogie Monster, My Favorite Murder, and Last Podcast on the Left. Real tin foil hat stuff. Right now I’m in the middle of listening to the audio book by Christopher Ryan called Civilized to Death, it’s a really good nonfiction book about the cost of the modern condition.
I noticed that in some of your art collections, you make spiritual references (ie.third eyes) and also admiration/appreciation for psychedelics. What do these mean to you?
It's important for me to paint with spiritual references in artwork because I think we live in a society where people get turned off when you talk about spirituality. I think our culture values the material, therefore there is no room for discussion about spirituality. So I believe it’s good to inject spiritual references from different spiritual teachings into art.
I never want to come off as too hippie dippy. And my knowledge of psychedelics is entirely based on psilocybin mushrooms.
But I sincerely believe psychedelics are tools to help humans connect to a collective consciousness. People pray to God and it’s a one way phone call, psychedelics make it a two way telephone. I look at them as a tool to enlightenment. The same as meditation or prayer. I think psilocybin mushrooms are the foundation to breaking down the ego and are a huge inspiration to me and my art. I believe that when doing them it’s important to have respect for them and learn something from them with every trip.
Have you done a self-portrait? If not, what do you envision that looking like?
I think when you first start out every face you paint is a self portrait. I have never sat down and tried to paint a self portrait but I do think most faces I paint are similar to mine.
What drives you to create art?
I have always been a creative person, and know that this is an interesting time in history. If you wanted to be a painter 20 years ago you had to move out of your town and go to New York, or Los Angeles. Well because of the internet that isn’t the reality anymore. You can get eyes on your artwork from around the world.
I never thought I’d graduate from college with a creative degree and be grinded down into the workforce like many others. I understand that is a reality for many people out there and am not above it in any way. If tomorrow I couldn’t create, I'd apply to my last job which I hated.
I’ve worked plenty of regular jobs but consistently was creating or looking for an opportunity out. Every time I worked an office job, or service industry job I would tell myself, you have to do this so you can pursuit what you want. Because of the pandemic I like many others was without a job, so I started treating art like a job. The average American works 8.5 hours a day, well I work 10. What I don’t have in talent I will make up for in tenacity. And I am determined to never work for anyone else. If ever I think about not painting or creating I think of my last boss ...and get back to creating.
Who and/or what are your biggest influences, when it comes to your art?
I gravitate to artists like people gravitate to bands, I’ll go through phases where I’m all about a certain artist, I’ll study their life and habits and it will trickle into my artwork.
My favorite artist is Jean-Michel Basquiat. I know the man's work and life like I know a family member. I like Klimt, Warhol and just got into Manet. I feel like I’m just saying the heavy hitters but Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and Keith Haring are always big influences. But surprisingly “Nighthawks at a Diner” by Edward Hopper is probably my favorite painting. Probably because it’s nothing like my work.
Whose techniques do you study or admire most, and why?
I love Basquiat’s technique when it comes to expressing a feeling with brush strokes. And Klimt’s pattern work is incredible. Van Gogh’s ability to create a mood with color is also something I strive to create.
When you paint what is more significant to you, representation or expression?
If I’m painting a human figure, representation is important to me, arms and where arms should be, eyes where eyes should be, and once I have a gravity on the future and it flows then expression takes over and I care less about the subject looking real or proportional and care more about what I want to paint it how I feel looks best. And sometimes what I think looks best doesn’t always look realistic.
How long have you been painting, and how have you developed your career?
I’ve been painting since 2009, I always drew and sketched in books but I had a comedy buddy, who had like a hundred canvases in his garage with paint and spray paint. I seriously thought you had to know someone who knew someone to buy and paint on canvases. He told me that for $30 at a Michael’s you can get paints, brushes and canvas. So I started trying it out.
I try to experiment with different styles all the time, you can tell what artist I’m into because they trickle into my work. The 2 months I got really into Jackson Pollock and just had paint splatter all over my kitchen floor. The goal is to use so many styles and filter them through you, you make something original.
I don’t think I’ll ever stick to a certain style. I think the best artists never do, they go through periods and phases. I think the goal is to build an audience that is cool with you changing up your style.
Are there any exhibitions that you are currently working on? If so, what?
I have a few art exhibitions I’m working on, now that everything is opening up I want to hit the ground running. I have a few comedy shows on the radar and will be selling art at them. I want to do a mix of art and comedy, like painting where you see an artist make jokes and not be serious seems like a good idea.
It would be cool to have a pop up art exhibit, a few rooms that are just stuff of mine, but I’d want it to be an experience for people with art installations and big pieces that really make people stop and look in awe. The big goal that I want to accomplish is to get a pop-up exhibit at Art Basel Miami 2022.
How do you price your work?
When I’m done with a piece of work I think about similar pieces, the time it took me to paint it and the materials I’ve used and then think what I truly think it’s worth. Not what I think it’s worth but what a viewer would think it’s worth. Size is also a big favor in figuring out prices. I try to think about my audience and what they spend their money on. It can be difficult because bills have to get paid and some months are better than others. I am not married to my work, and the idea that I made it and it’s original so it must be worth something. So while I try to respect everyone who has spent money on my work I have no problem discounting it to what I think is the bare minimum. In fought situations I make minimum wage and if I can do that and hold a paint brush and not a mop it’s worth it.
What is your biggest annoyance when it comes to art?
I loathe glass glare, and I’m sure someone will hear that and think get better glass but even in museums, you are trying to experience an art piece and you see a light reflection, or glare. I was so bummed when I found out Nighthawks at a Diner was in glass.