Meet Lucy Beaugard | Artist, Writer & Photographer

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

Hi Lucy, why did you pursue a creative career?
It was never really a question of why, I alway sort of knew that my mind worked best when challenged with creative elements. Of course my direction has changed several times since I was a child, dabbling in writing from as early as second grade to painting by seventh and ceramics & studio art by the time I was in college. I had sort of a ‘come to Jesus’ moment when I was in my second year of studio art (with a specific focus in ceramics) realizing maybe I wasn’t going to be able to support myself as a fine artist. In turn, I fell back on my love of photography. I was always that kid carrying two to three disposable cameras and saving up to buy the next best point and shoot – so I figured, why not change my major? I guess what I’m trying to say is that I could never imagine my life working that salary 9 to 5 behind a desk, which is actually quite funny because if you think about it about 50% of the work I do is post production and is done behind a computer – but rarely at a desk, so I stand firm in that ideal. That’s a joke. I knew it would be a risk to pursue anything creative as a career from a young age, which only fueled my fire that much more. I think if you want something enough – which I did – you’ll sacrifice your time and life for years and years to make it work. The hope is that eventually it will all make sense – the hard work, the long unorthodox weeks and the countless times you struggled to pay rent. I feel like it’s been working but I suppose I’m a bit biased.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Realistically, I’m not entirely sure that my career is unique beyond that it is my own. I think anyone who makes the decision to pursue a creative career knows it will be difficult, I think that’s been one of the allures for me. It was far from easy. I think looking back on when I started over a decade ago, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever truly succeed and yet, I was okay with that. I think the one thing I’ve always held dear is that whatever I’m doing I want it to bring me joy. And yes, some might say that’s a naive approach to work and life but I’d rather be deliriously happy and naive than tired and miserable in my career. In all honesty, I don’t think I’ve overcome every challenge this industry will throw at me yet – which I think this year has been very telling of that. But I do think you just, for lack of better words, overcome because of the love and passion you have for what you’re doing. There will always be challenges as a working full-time creative, but I think thats what makes it worth it – the uncertainty, the unknown, the push to keep working harder and reinventing yourself as an artist and a human. Or perhaps I’m just a little nutty and crave the excitement my career brings, which isn’t a bad thing either. If I could share anything about myself with the world, I guess that it would be that I’m grateful and I’m human. I’m not an ideal or my social media or even my work. Yes, those are glimpses into me as a person but at the end of the day I would just want people to remember that I’m human just the same. Like most, I’ll have just as many good days as I do bad in my career. It’s all just a matter of perspective.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I feel fairly fortunate to have had several of my closest childhood friends visit on more than one occasion over the past six years, I actually had an ongoing spreadsheet of restaurants broken down by neighborhoods for guests to try at one point. I think my favorite itinerary includes the following: – sunset at lookout mountain with a local brew or a bottle of bubbles – first hike at St. Mary’s Glacier to acclimate to the altitude – bbq in Idaho Springs following hike – dispersed camping of some sorts – games at 1UP including giant Jenga – consuming all the James Beard Winning fare this city has to offer

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I don’t think there is just one person in anyones story. Truthfully, I am a strong believer that all the successes I’ve had were due to ALL the people in my life who have continually supported me and this career I’ve tirelessly built. I suppose if I had to name a few it would most certainly start with my childhood friends who have seen me as a “starving artist” to a “mildly successful one”. I won’t dive into all their names, but they certainly know who they are and how much I value them. Next I’d say my college president who bought my first gallery print and officially made me a “professional photographer”. And last but certainly not least, I have to give love and credit to the people, PR firms and publications in Colorado who believed in me and gave me a chance to prove myself in this city.

Website: www.lucybeaugard.com
Instagram: @lucybeaugard
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucybeaugard

Image Credits
Lucy Beaugard