Artist Interview: beepart

Hailing from London, Canada, beepart is an artist owned business offering the neatest vinyl wall art and decorative laptop decals around. I was browsing through etsy stores one day and came across this small thumbnail image of a vibrant tree (I love woody looking things) and another of seahorses. I clicked to enter the store and was blown away with not only the designs of the decals but also the fact that they were DECALS!

Modernist tree

beepart has come up with a fantastic idea and alternative to the white walls of the renting world (or even the homeowners)! I don't know about you, but that is what drives me crazy about not owning...customization desires are limited.
Anyhow, on to the GOOOOOD stuff. I contacted beepart in high hopes I could snag an interview with the genius behind the storefront and was not let down. With out further ado, meet Neil of beepart!!

Neil and his lovely daughter :)

1. Who are you/tell us a bit about yourself?

i'm neil jeffery and i'm the owner and operator of the beepart shop on etsy.com. i'm a freelance illustrator based in London, Canada and i spend a fair amount of my time drawing and creating vinyl wall and laptop decals.
i live in a house with a wife, daughter, dog and cat.

2. What are some of your favorite things to do?

like a typical canadian, i'm a big fan of watching and playing hockey. i also am involved as a volunteer in our local women's roller derby league as my wife has been a player for the past 5 years.
i also like to spend time sampling fine craft beers which so basically i'm a bit of a beer snob.

Tea Tree

Friendly Narwhal

 3. What three words best describe your personality?

i asked my wife to help me with this one and she said funny, passionate and personable....but for some reason i get the impression those are not the only 3 words she can come up with when describing me...

4. How would you describe your artistic style?

i would say somewhat eclectic...i've always had diverse influences and didn't ever try to stick to or develop one particular style.

5. What kinds of things do you make and sell?

i mostly sell vinyl wall and laptop decals but i also include other art pieces in my etsy shop. i used to work with resin a lot and created resin wall art but it's such a finicky and time-consuming medium that i decided to stop working with it.

WOODGRAIN!!

Peacock Feathers

 6. If you had to be trapped in a book, which one would it be and why?

hmmm...most of the compelling books i have read i don't think i'd like to actual be living them. maybe something by paul auster because his characters are always so off the wall but likeable...they'd be fun to hang out with.

7. Who or what inspires you the most?

i dont' think there's just one person or thing that inspires me more than anything else...i find inspiration from other artists, from stuff i see, just from the sheer joy of creating something, it's something i've always enjoyed.

Friendly Seahorses

8. Where did your get the inspiration for your shop name, Beep Art?

when i started my illustration business i had to register a business name, my daughter was just learning to walk at the time and she would walk around the house pushing a little toy grocery cart and if something was in her way she would say 'beep beep'.  so i registered the business name beep beep and used it as my studio name.
when i wanted to open an etsy shop this name was taken so i just changed it to beep art...although it seems a lot of people read it as 'bee part'

9. What drew you to illustration?

i've always been a drawer and painter so illustration seemed like a natural fit for me. i went to school for both visual art and graphic design so i kind of had a foot in both worlds of commercial and fine art. i started doing some illustration for local design companies and it was a way to make a few extra bucks on the side while working a day job.

10. What did you do before going into full-time illustration?

i ran a printing press...a dying art form if ever there was.


11. What do you want to be when you grow up?

even though i'm still as immature as ever, when considering my rapidly advancing age i probably should have made up my mind my now. i would have to consider myself full grown and luckily doing something i really enjoy!

Clever, eh?

 Need to know more? See and explore for yourself :)

click here for the

beepart store

and here for the
beepart website

Hope you enjoyed the interview and got some neat ideas for your abode! Note that decals can be ordered in specific colors and custom sizes! Imagine the world!!
Much thanks to Neil for your willingness and genuineness, best wishes in all you continue to do, you rock!

love,
Jonnie