Meet Beatrice Rudolph | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beatrice Rudolph and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beatrice, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Since I’m not able pursue my small art business full time, work life balance is incredibly important. I need to be able to spend time on my passions outside of my day job, while also giving myself time to recharge. Often, because I don’t have to rely on my art business for my income, doing art becomes part of my down time, my me time, my time to relax.

The time I’m able to commit to my small business varies over the course of the year. As a competitive equestrian, I spend a lot of my after work time in the saddle during the spring and summer. Then, when we shift to fall and winter, I’m able to devote more time to my artwork.

For me, it is incredibly helpful to have a career outside of my art and my horses – this allows me to fund those passions with less worry, and enjoy those hobbies with less stress. Blue Unicorn Studios is intended, at the current time, to help me share and sell my artwork in a cohesive way, in hopes of it developing into more of an income.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Blue Unicorn Studios encompasses all of the eclectic arts and crafts I create. I primarily focus on animals, both real and fantastical. I work in spray paint, acrylics, oils, charcoal, scratchboard, polymer clay, and more.

Of the artwork that I create, I am most known for my “Celestial” series. These pieces begin in spray paint on board. I create a starry night sky using blacks, blues, whites, and more. Sometimes one of these backgrounds will sit for some time before I figure out what animal should go into the scene. When I find the perfect subject, I then use oils to create a “Celestial” animal on top of the spray paint, making the animal look as if it is a part of the sky, an aurora borealis, or celestial body.

I began the series by focusing on endangered species – as if they will become constellations and legends in the stars, if we fail to help our environment in time. Of course, I then branched into my known animals, as well as some fantasy creatures. These days, I like to think of these pieces as “Celestial Guardians” watching over us from the stars.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As more a homebody, living in a pandemic, it’s a bit challenging to answer this question. I’d be sure to take my friend to the Blue Moose and then I’d love to show them Old Town Fort Collins. We could explore and shop.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
After graduating from college and starting a full time job, I wasn’t sure how best to pursue art. It’s difficult to not have a direction or community. I started by continuing to create artwork and sell at arts and crafts shows as a vendor. Next, I investigated local art galleries in hopes of selling my work off their walls.

One of the galleries I applied for was The Blue Moose in Fort Collins, Colorado. This is a wonderful gallery the offers not just fine art, but gifts and art classes. I was accepted as an artist and was able to help staff on the weekends, as well. A year or so into being a part of the gallery, my mom and I bought in as owners along with 20 other community members who now make this gallery the success that it is.

Being a part of this art gallery is so important to my artistic development and feeling like I have a place to create. It’s about the support of this community who appreciates what I do. I’m also incredibly grateful to my mom, for – while always remaining practical – supporting my passions and helping me be a gallery owner.

Website: www.blueunicornstudios.com

Instagram: beablueunicorn

Facebook: artistbeatricerudolph