With Artist Alex Beard
The Times- Picayune
October 3, 2008
Alex and Amy Beard with Karin Eustis, right, at Juleps in June, 2011
Alex Beard is the son of a philanthropist and an Elle editor and non-fiction author in New York City, is the nephew of legendary wildlife photographer Peter Beard, grew up listening to Truman Capote and e e cummings at the family dinner table, while attending all the best schools.Then, about 18 years ago, he set out for New Orleans to become his own kind of artist, a painter, specializing in -- but not limited to -- the whimsical and fantastical elements of animals and fish. He married a Louisiana girl named Amy, opened the Alex Beard Gallery on Chartres Street and began to raise a family.
Then Katrina came along. He closed up shop and moved the family back to New York. But, like the cat, Alex came back and opened the Alex Beard Gallery at Pirate's Alley and Royal Street. An in the two years since, he has become entrenched in the local art scene. And he's a great friend and neighbor for the Faulkner Society, his neighbor. He created the 2010 original painting of William Faulkner for auction at Juleps in June, 2009 to benefit the Society and was a member of a Young Adult fiction discussion panel for Words & Music, 2010. Beard brought his monthly New York ritual of a free painting workshop for kids to the New Orleans gallery on Saturday from 11 am. to 1 p.m. Any kid old enough to hold a brush -- and with a parent! -- is welcome.
Chris Rose interviewed Alex for the Times-Picayune when he opened the gallery.
You've been working with kids in this community -- and New York -- a lot recently. Tell me, briefly, what's your philosophy on exposure to the arts at a young age.
Art should be fun for kids, but the art world has become intimidating, obtuse, and nonsensical. I work with kids to teach them that they should not be afraid to express themselves, and that artists are not all two-headed monsters dripping in angst and poverty. Be creative and enjoy yourself! That's the message.
Kids and paint. Experience tells me this is a dangerous combination. What's your secret?
Try not to let them eat any. Otherwise, they can't make more of a mess than I do, so relax and let the chaos begin!
Do you want your own kid to grow up to be an artist?
No. I want my son to play third base for the New York Yankees.
You left town after the storm. We're very touchy about that sort of thing. Care to offer an explanation?
Having gone through a hurricane in New Orleans, I wanted to try a financial tsunami in New York.
The good part is: You're back. At least, partly. Why?
I love New Orleans. This place is like malaria. The bugs get in your blood, and they never let you go.
You're now a commuter from Big Apple to Big Easy. What's the most evident difference in lifestyles between the two?
People in New Orleans live a much richer life with a lot less money.
What do you miss most about living here full time?
The Saints on Sunday and Domilise's fried shrimp with brown gravy and Swiss cheese po-boys every other day.
Your work is stamped with your urbane Northeastern artsy upbringing. That said, what influence has New Orleans had on your work?
All the whimsy, all the color, and a good bit of the oddity come from New Orleans.
All that Peter Beard, Truman Capote, New York elite stuff: Obviously it helps sell the work, but is it sometimes more burden than it's worth?
It's only a burden if my own work turns out to suck.
OK, you've got some puzzle thing out in stores. I've read the press releases. I have no idea what this is. Very briefly, what is this?
Alex Beard Impossible Puzzles. I have redesigned the way a jigsaw puzzle works, so that you can complete the puzzle as shown on the box or you can rearrange the pieces to make a totally new design. The pieces are more like shards of stained glass or parts of a mosaic than like granny's puzzle of petunias and puppies. If you like puzzles, you'll love these.
Last question: When are you moving back to New Orleans for good?
If my wife had her way it would have been yesterday, and since she's always right, probably pretty soon.
Columnist Chris Rose can be reached at chris.rose@timespicayune.com; or at 504.352.2535 or 504.826.3309. To comment or read past columns, visit www.nola.com/rose.
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