WEST GREENWICH
ETSY : sakarasstudio l sakaraperry . com
ARTIST MEDIUM : Watercolor and ink / mixed media
CARVING A PATH It became evident to me that art would be the path I would pursue and the place I could go whenever I needed a deep breath . After obtaining a BFA in illustration from Massachusetts College of Art and Design , I started a 100 day sketchbook practice of watercolor and ink sketches and soon developed a portfolio of work that I could sell at art festivals .
PRIZED PIECES There ’ s an infuriating place I reach when I am challenging myself with something that ’ s out of my comfort zone . “ Wildflowers in Velvet ” is still one of my favorites . In the wee hours of the morning , the whole piece felt choppy and disconnected . I took my brush and did a wash of blue over the whole field of flowers and like a switch flipping , suddenly it was done . I ’ ve been proud of many pieces since and every single one is special in its own way to me but this particular one always reminds me that even after hours of work , it ’ s important to take risks and to trust myself .
BETH BRAGANCA BELL
PROVIDENCE
ETSY : BethBragancaBell l bethbragancabell . com
WHAT INSPIRES YOU THE MOST IN YOUR ART ? Nature is my greatest source of inspiration , especially the woods of West Greenwich . As soon as I ’ m moving and breathing fresh air , I start to see paintings all around me .
PRICE RANGE Originals : $ 125 –$ 525 ( watercolor and mixed media ) Prints : $ 25 –$ 50
ARTIST MEDIUM : Ink , watercolor , gouache , acrylic ( sometimes driftwood , shells , various flotsam )
BORN ARTIST I don ’ t remember a time when I didn ’ t draw and make things ; it ’ s been my language since birth . I go a little crazy when I ’ m not able to work . Formally , I studied illustration at MassArt , the rest is obsession .
MAKING OTHERS FEEL SEEN My series called “ Queen , Love your Curls ” is one that makes me proud . It was my attempt at creating a space that is revered for people with “ natural hair ,” where it is celebrated and part of their splendid ferocity . I wanted people to be able to see themselves in the drawings , or to want to see themselves in them . One piece was part of the Newport Annual in 2020 where folks were taking selfies in front of that piece , as if wearing the hair themselves .
WHAT DOES YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS LOOK LIKE ? My brain best works through projects by sketching , scribbling and erasing on actual paper . Once I ’ ve come up with an idea and have refined it , I then move either to my tablet or my final piece . I ’ ve been working with driftwood and shells lately as part of my medium , and that has really made me think a bit differently and to remember to be patient and think things through before leaping .
PRICE RANGE $ 20 –$ 3,000 +
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ALL PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE ARTISTS ; OPENING PAGE ART : GETTY IMAGES / KATSIARYNA HEDROICH .
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY ’ S NEST | 2022 7