Dear beautiful bizarre friends,
Issue 33 of Beautiful Bizarre Magazine featuring Jeremy Mann’s spirituous painting, “Martyr” flew off the shelves, and the print issue has sold out. Thanks so much for your ongoing support of our independent magazine, it means so much to myself and my team! However, you can still download the digital magazine, and enjoy the inspiring stories of over 40 creatives from around the world!
This is the 8th anniversary Issue of Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, and it is nine years since my partner and I launched the business! These anniversaries are wonderful opportunities to reflect on my personal journey, both the highs and lows, and to express my deep gratitude to all of our readers and partners for giving myself and the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine team this incredible gift – the ability to work immersed in our passion every day.
After nine years I am still stopped in my tracks every day by the new work and new artists who touch my soul. It never gets old!
Celebrating The Years
After nine years I am still stopped in my tracks every day by new work and new artists who touch my soul. It never gets old! Over the years we have developed new and exciting ways to engage our community and to further our mission outside of our core business of publishing. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to curate 13 exhibitions around the world, in my home country of Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States, in both public and private galleries.
Four years ago we also launched the Beautiful Bizarre international Art Prize for representational art across all static mediums. This is yet another way we give the practices of representational artists validation and visibility, particularly in the commercial gallery and museum sector where it is still hard to get representation. Plus of course the winners receive amazing cash and product/service prizes thanks to generous arts champions – our sponsors. This year’s Grand Prize winner will receive US$10,000 cash and many other prizes!
When I do the checks and balances my love and dedication, and passion for my job far outweigh the challenges. I am so very grateful!
Checks and Balances of Dedication
The road, however, has also been very hard at times. Carrying the burden of the financial success of a small business and the livelihoods of my team can be incredibly stressful at times. Having such a massive workload, always managing many large projects at a time can be draining both mentally and physically – it just never stops. Ensuring our customers are happy and are given the support they need can be difficult when certain parts of the supply chain are out of our hands, like the United States Postal Service. However, when I do the checks and balances my love and dedication, and passion for my job far outweigh the challenges. I am so very grateful!
It’s amazing how a pared down life can be all we really need to make us content.
This last year has brought into sharp focus what is really important in my life, and Beautiful Bizarre Magazine is high up on this list, along with my husband and family (including my fur baby), friends, colleagues, my home, garden, reading, a woolen jumper on a cold Armidale day, and of course art! It’s amazing how a pared down life can be all we really need to make us content.
Looking to the future we have lots of exciting projects in the planning. Our first exhibition with Copro Gallery in Santa Monica, LA, closed recently and was a huge success! Much thanks to Directors Gary and Erica for their hard work and professionalism. Our next exhibition, which includes the winners of this year’s Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize, opens at Haven Gallery in New York this October! I am working with a brilliant glass artist to create the glass trophies for the winners as we speak.
Next year our first Museum exhibition in Australia opens in May, showcasing for the first time only local Australia artists and photographers. I can’t wait!
Until next time, please take care of yourself and those around you, and stay safe.
Much Love xo
Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief
Beautiful Bizarre Magazine
Feature Image: June issue featured artist Lucio Carvalho
