Artists Among Us: Artist Profile - Carolyn A. Beegan

By Eileen Casey

"Body Politic No. 5 (Don't Cry") by Carolyn A. Beegan, oil on plaster and wood, 15" x 18" All images courtesy of artist

Continuing with our artist profiles of artists both living and working in the Hamptons, our next artist is Carolyn A. Beegan, who lives in Sag Harbor.

Artist Carolyn A. Beegan. Photo by Charles Shawcroft

Sag Harbor - Carolyn A. Beegan was born in 1965 in New York City, and attended St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, College of Mt. Saint Vincent, Queen's College, and graduated summa cum laude from Manhattan College in 1987 with a degree in computer sciences.

Having been raised in a strict Irish Catholic household Beegan credits her upbringing and the 16 years she spent in parochial schools with the strong religious imagery that is evident in her early work. Her family's ties to Ireland have influenced her work as well, including studies of religious iconography, and she keeps both a U.S. and Irish passport.

Although she did not "declare" herself a full-time artist until 1994 when she was in her mid-20s, Beegan abandoned a successful career as a systems analyst in the oil industry to study at the Art Students League in Manhattan.

She considers herself a "self-taught" artist, and in the late 1990s introduced her paintings 'The Body Politic,' a Georgia O'Keefe-like series of biomorphic self-portraits of her uterus based on internal photographs of her taken by her surgeon.

Beegan has spent the last several years living in a 1790 ship captain's house with an atelier studio in Sag Harbor and considers the East End her home. Having exhibited extensively in both group and solo shows in New York City (Ambassador Galleries and Renee Fotouhi Fine Arts) and the East End (Arlene Bujese Gallery), Beegan indicates that "Paintings are the statement."

"Revival No. 10 - The Disappointed Madonna," oil on canvas mounted on wood,
41.5" x 28"

Beegan has traveled the world extensively and her work is among the collections of Ron Delsener, John Eastman, Esq., Larry Gagosian, Don Henley, Billy Joel, Elton John and Ron Perelman, among others.

When did you start making art and what medium(s) do you consider to be your roots in art?

Carolyn Beegan: My first recollection of making art was when I was a small child. To keep me quiet during mass, my mother would give me a pen and paper from her purse - just to shut me up! It's no wonder that my very first oil paintings have strong religious overtones. Also, my father worked in the printing industry and would bring home reams of paper for my older brother and I to draw on. We made our own comic books and flipbooks. It kept us busy for hours!

What is it about the Hamptons that brought you here and enticed you to stay, work, and pursue your art as opposed to some place else?

CB: I wish I could say that I was drawn to the East End because of the light or the rich history of artists making this area their home, but it's not true. While living and working in Manhattan, my former partner, Billy Joel, found an amazing studio for me in Sag Harbor. Without my knowledge or approval, he arranged for me to lease a loft on the top floor of the Malloy Building overlooking Town Marina. Fortunately, when I did finally see the space, I fell in love with it. It has high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and a breathtaking view. Although I have since moved to an old ship captain's house, the loft was a wonderful enticement to get me to move out here.

"Revival No. 2," oil on canvas, 18" x 18"

The reason I have remained is simple - I had the good fortune of making friends with a number of locals - including many artists and writers. I have found the East End to be a very interesting and welcoming place. And although I travel a good deal, I am happy to call Sag Harbor home.

How do you support yourself as an artist?

CB: For the past 15 years, I have supported myself by showing with a number of galleries in Manhattan and on the East End. I have also recently set up a website, or visit www.sagharborartist.com. By contacting me through the site, one can purchase paintings, collages, and drawings.

Why live and work in the Hamptons as opposed to elsewhere?

CB: I live and work on the East End for two reasons. First, I enjoy the pace of life out here. I find it far less stressful than living in Manhattan, yet there is still easy access to the city. Secondly, as I mentioned before, I have had the good fortune of befriending a number of artists and writers out here. I enjoy the feeling of community.

"Recess" four 12" x 12" pieces, oil on plaster and wood.

What artists do you feel have influenced you and your work?

CB: Different artists have influenced each series that I have worked on. If you look at some of my early work like "Revival No. 1," "Revival No.2," and "Revival No. 10 (The Disappointed Madonna)," you will see the heavy influence of the Renaissance painters Michelangelo and Caravaggio. Georgia O'Keeffe influenced paintings from my Still Life series, particularly the oil painting "Recess." Some later paintings from the Body Politic series, including "Body Politic No. 5 (Don't Cry)," were also influenced by O'Keeffe.

I consciously tipped my hat to Picasso in a series called A Common Thread. In fact, the painting titled "Three Bathers" was based directly on Picasso's painting of the same name. My latest series, temporarily called Current Projects, has a mishmash of influences. My favorite painting from this series, "Reclining Nude," mixes Matisse with Klimt and, a childhood favorite, Peter Max.

What advice would you give an emerging artist?

CB: I would tell emerging artists that if they want commercial success, focus on sensationalism and controversy. However, if they want to be great artists and make beautiful artwork, paint from the heart.

What gives you an edge (if any)?

CB: The only "edge" I have, if you can call it that, is that I am somewhat computer savvy. My undergraduate degree was in computers. As it turns out, having computer skills in this digital age is quite useful - even (if not especially) for an artist.

What are you working on now, and are you involved in any upcoming shows or exhibitions?

CB: As I mentioned earlier, I am working on a new series temporarily titled Current Projects. I start with small drawings, paintings, and/or collages, scan them into the computer, manipulate them with Adobe Photoshop, print them out on large-format paper, and then work on top of these printouts with acrylic paint and charcoal. Obviously, it is a multilayered process.

• To contact Beegan via email go to carolyn@sagharborartist.com or visit www.sagharborartist.com.