Photographer Petra Collins captures a day in the life of young artist and model Rewina Beshue as she kicks back in her SF Bay home. Rewina is an empowering young artist with a strong sense of individuality, who channels this energy into all of her creative endeavors. It was only about a year ago that Rewina began sharing her artwork, first on Instagram, and then inevitably in shows for female-identifying artists, such as Girl Artist Takeover, showcasing young POC artists, and Not Ur Baby, a benefit fighting human trafficking in Oakland. Her pop-art illustrations play with femininity and pop culture, with a vibrancy signature to Rewina’s aesthetic, whether it be found in digital media, animation, or just casual doodles. Rewina celebrates collaboration with many artists and creatives, contributing to various platforms that challenge the limitations of the contemporary curation. She notes the value in sharing knowledge, creativity and culture, integrating this not only into her own work, but also injecting her ideology into her creative community. Her work is continuously evolving and we cannot wait to trace her influence.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in San Francisco, CA.
What have been your creative outlets lately?
My creative outlets have mostly been animating, digital media, and doodling. Do you have any mantras that you get you through each day?
I tell myself that individuality is what makes you unique. Another mantra I have is to try and find the good in any situation. It helps me get through a sour day.
Your artwork is very much about femininity and pop culture. Where do you find inspiration? How has your style developed over the years?
My aesthetic stems from myself. What I mean is that I tend to create based on my moods, experiences, feelings, obsessions, etc. My creativity is always evolving so currently I am super interested in ’80s computer culture and animation-style pop-art. I’ve been doing this style for a long time but it continues to change as I get older, including more and more experiences and feelings in my art.
You have mentioned that in the past you were shy to show your work to the public. How did you overcome these feelings?
Naturally, I am a shy person so showing art was extremely hard especially when I don’t know who I am showing. I basically decided to take the leap and post something on Instagram after having a talk with my best friend Carina Moreno, who told me that criticism won’t hurt and I should share my work. From there, I’ve gotten responses from people who really enjoyed my work. People became interested, which gave me a lot of confidence to show more.
Not Ur Baby and Girl Artist Takeover have been two female-centric art shows that you have taken part in recently. Can you tell us a bit about the work you showed, and why these were important shows to you?
These two shows were so amazing. Girl Artist Takeover, curated by Tyra Mitchell, was an all-girl art show that showcased and supported young POC girls. This was actually my first show and it was so amazing to be surrounded by talented girls I can relate to. I showcased a series of illustrations that depicted masculine male artists (Snoop and Ice Cube) in feminine pop-y colors. I did animated projections for the DJ area in which I animated on music videos and pool water. Not Ur Baby, curated by Vanessa Vigil and Beatrice Ursula, was an amazing show and benefit to fight human trafficking in Oakland. Money from art that was sold contributed to the cause. It was a safe space for women to gather and showcase their talents. I premiered a series of illustrations that depicted emotion and friendship, a concept I am working on with a friend on understanding and processing different types of emotions.
As a model, how do you feel on the other side of the spectrum; being the subject of someone else’s artwork? Do you feel it is as creative as making your own work?
The confidence to shoot with others comes from the sense of collaboration between the subject and the photographer. I feel like modelling and photographing is a collaborative effort. To have fun, engage in conversation, creatively inspire one another, all contribute to a great outcome.
You have worked on various collaborations with many photographers, artists and designers. First off, what do you look for when collaborating with others, and who have been among your favourites to work with?
Whenever I collaborate with other artists, I look forward to sharing creative perspectives. I love hearing other’s perspectives as well as sharing mine, and combining them. I love working with other people, I feel like understanding how others operate creatively is very important and interesting. To learn from others about culture and aesthetic and to share knowledge is a powerful thing. My favourite people to work with are my friends. I alway get very inspired by my group of homies whenever we get together. I love the work my friends Azha Luckman and Apryl Fuentes do at Shade Zine. Also, my best friend Carina Moreno’s photography is very inspiring to me. Surrounding myself with creative people keeps me motivated.
What are some creative goals you have in the coming months? The coming years?
I hope to continue to create more work for myself and for others. I want to continue to collaborate with other artists and produce amazing work. I have so many ideas that will blossom soon and I would love to involve as many wonderful artists as I can. :)
Rewina Beshue by Petra Collins
PHOTOS BY PETRA COLLINS
INTERVIEW BY ARIEL SHEA
Photographer Petra Collins captures a day in the life of young artist and model Rewina Beshue as she kicks back in her SF Bay home. Rewina is an empowering young artist with a strong sense of individuality, who channels this energy into all of her creative endeavors. It was only about a year ago that Rewina began sharing her artwork, first on Instagram, and then inevitably in shows for female-identifying artists, such as Girl Artist Takeover, showcasing young POC artists, and Not Ur Baby, a benefit fighting human trafficking in Oakland. Her pop-art illustrations play with femininity and pop culture, with a vibrancy signature to Rewina’s aesthetic, whether it be found in digital media, animation, or just casual doodles. Rewina celebrates collaboration with many artists and creatives, contributing to various platforms that challenge the limitations of the contemporary curation. She notes the value in sharing knowledge, creativity and culture, integrating this not only into her own work, but also injecting her ideology into her creative community. Her work is continuously evolving and we cannot wait to trace her influence.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in San Francisco, CA.
What have been your creative outlets lately?
My creative outlets have mostly been animating, digital media, and doodling.
Do you have any mantras that you get you through each day?
I tell myself that individuality is what makes you unique. Another mantra I have is to try and find the good in any situation. It helps me get through a sour day.
Your artwork is very much about femininity and pop culture. Where do you find inspiration? How has your style developed over the years?
My aesthetic stems from myself. What I mean is that I tend to create based on my moods, experiences, feelings, obsessions, etc. My creativity is always evolving so currently I am super interested in ’80s computer culture and animation-style pop-art. I’ve been doing this style for a long time but it continues to change as I get older, including more and more experiences and feelings in my art.
You have mentioned that in the past you were shy to show your work to the public. How did you overcome these feelings?
Naturally, I am a shy person so showing art was extremely hard especially when I don’t know who I am showing. I basically decided to take the leap and post something on Instagram after having a talk with my best friend Carina Moreno, who told me that criticism won’t hurt and I should share my work. From there, I’ve gotten responses from people who really enjoyed my work. People became interested, which gave me a lot of confidence to show more.
Not Ur Baby and Girl Artist Takeover have been two female-centric art shows that you have taken part in recently. Can you tell us a bit about the work you showed, and why these were important shows to you?
These two shows were so amazing. Girl Artist Takeover, curated by Tyra Mitchell, was an all-girl art show that showcased and supported young POC girls. This was actually my first show and it was so amazing to be surrounded by talented girls I can relate to. I showcased a series of illustrations that depicted masculine male artists (Snoop and Ice Cube) in feminine pop-y colors. I did animated projections for the DJ area in which I animated on music videos and pool water. Not Ur Baby, curated by Vanessa Vigil and Beatrice Ursula, was an amazing show and benefit to fight human trafficking in Oakland. Money from art that was sold contributed to the cause. It was a safe space for women to gather and showcase their talents. I premiered a series of illustrations that depicted emotion and friendship, a concept I am working on with a friend on understanding and processing different types of emotions.
As a model, how do you feel on the other side of the spectrum; being the subject of someone else’s artwork? Do you feel it is as creative as making your own work?
The confidence to shoot with others comes from the sense of collaboration between the subject and the photographer. I feel like modelling and photographing is a collaborative effort. To have fun, engage in conversation, creatively inspire one another, all contribute to a great outcome.
You have worked on various collaborations with many photographers, artists and designers. First off, what do you look for when collaborating with others, and who have been among your favourites to work with?
Whenever I collaborate with other artists, I look forward to sharing creative perspectives. I love hearing other’s perspectives as well as sharing mine, and combining them. I love working with other people, I feel like understanding how others operate creatively is very important and interesting. To learn from others about culture and aesthetic and to share knowledge is a powerful thing. My favourite people to work with are my friends. I alway get very inspired by my group of homies whenever we get together. I love the work my friends Azha Luckman and Apryl Fuentes do at Shade Zine. Also, my best friend Carina Moreno’s photography is very inspiring to me. Surrounding myself with creative people keeps me motivated.
What are some creative goals you have in the coming months? The coming years?
I hope to continue to create more work for myself and for others. I want to continue to collaborate with other artists and produce amazing work. I have so many ideas that will blossom soon and I would love to involve as many wonderful artists as I can. :)
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