Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Consetta Rubel.
Hi Beth Consetta, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I discovered art as a therapeutic tool at a young age and my work evolved from those humble beginnings. I was deep-thinking and cautious growing up and gravitated towards drawing as a form of expression. The desire to connect with others fueled my passion for portraiture and public art. At sixteen, I volunteered at the Family Crisis Center in Bastrop to paint a garden scene in one of the therapy rooms. The mural uplifted the space and provided a calm atmosphere for the women and children that arrived, often leaving traumatic situations. That experience opened my eyes to the positive and powerful impact art can have in public spaces. Art is a universal language, a vehicle to communicate to the masses.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. Some of the struggles along the way include learning to overcome crippling shyness and gaining confidence for public speaking. It’s important that the work speaks to people, however, the work won’t speak for itself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work focuses on the themes of race, gender, sexuality, and pop culture. This is evident in her series, “The Paper Bag Test,” where she draws and paints portraits of Black subjects—many of them well-known Black celebrities and public figures, such as President Barack Obama and Richard Pryor. In light of the recent cases of police brutality and state-sanctioned violence against Black men, women, and children, she has also included portraits of victims like Michael Brown and Aiyana Stanley Jones in the series.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Put yourself out there! Online and IRL. Do what you enjoy most and don’t hesitate to contact peers and mentors you admire for support and questions. You never know who may help you or respond. If you want to find an art mentor, apply for internships, apprenticeships, and volunteer to expand your network. Go to art exhibits regularly and you will begin to see the same faces in attendance. Get to know them and support their work. I did an art education internship at Blue Star Contemporary Arts with Artist Alex Rubio and learned more about the art world in that one year from hands-on experience than I had from college. Formal and Informal classes are a great way to network in general as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BethConsettaRubel.com
- Instagram: @BethConsettaRubel
