A Note From the Editor: The spark that ignites inspiration

Dear beautiful bizarre friends,

Welcome to the December 2023 issue of Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, with Kukula’s fabulous pop surrealist masterpiece “The Attachment” on the cover.

The December print issue has sold out, but you can download the digital magazine here.

Enjoy my Note from the Editor, published in Beautiful Bizarre Magazine Issue 43

This cover offers us the escapism we need right now. A vivid, joy filled world of cute baby octopus friends and adventure. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all just enjoy our lives without fear of harm? Tragically that isn’t the case for many people around the world at this moment. As wars rage, and many people suffer the effects of this devastation, it’s hard not to feel afraid and insecure. It feels like the world is becoming a more and more dangerous place.

Those that are not directly affected can’t avoid doom-scrolling and absorbing the hurt and suffering into our consciousness. Particularly those of us who are most sensitive, as creatives often are. However artists have a superpower, the ability to create new worlds, to take us outside of our reality and into a new, exciting, joyful place. Art can surprise and delight us in unexpected ways, and offer us the escapism and solace that we need.

Serendipity

This ability to surprise can often come from moments of serendipity, and happily artists are able to embrace and exploit the unforeseen. Serendipitous moments can provide artists with inspiration, influence their creative process, and even shape the final outcome of their work into something beautiful and remarkably unique. Serendipity is the spark that ignites inspiration.

Which brings me to the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine exhibition, Serendipity, which was on view at Haven Gallery in Northport, New York from 4 November to 3 December 2023. This exhibition was our 16th in 10 years – including both commercial and museum exhibitions, and our 4th with the prestigious Haven Gallery.

I am incredibly proud of the work for this exhibition, and all of the artists involved! Over 80 artists from around the world created the most astonishing works in an array of mediums, including painting, drawing, fine art photography, etching, sculpture, and digital painting. This exhibition, of course, also included the brilliant winners of the 2023 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize, some of who exhibited their winning artworks and others that have created new work especially for this exhibition. When you read this all of the work will be available for your viewing pleasure on the Haven Gallery website. I’m sure you will be very impressed with what you see.

It is also that special time of year when we begin reaching out to businesses and philanthropists that are passionate about the visual arts, about sponsoring the 2024 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize. If you are one of these brands or individuals who would like to give back to your community in a meaningful way, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us regarding how we can collaborate to bring real value to your brand and artists globally. Artists, mark your calendar! Entries for next year’s Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize open in February.

Our mission to champion artists

Thank you dear reader for purchasing Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, and thus helping to encourage, grow and promote our community of 1 Million + creatives. It is through your readership that we are able to continue to fulfill our mission to champion artists from all corners of the globe. I hope you enjoy the read and find inspiration for your own practice and collections within the pages of this issue.

Much Love xo

Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief
Beautiful Bizarre Magazine

All images throughout this Note From the Editor are by Issue 43 published artists.