ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: BEE HUDSON

Bee Hudson is a Mid North Coast artist whose expressive and intuitive abstract works celebrate the healing and transformational nature of creativity. A lifelong creative, Bee studied architecture and design before her willingness to “embrace the unexpected” turned her artistic journey in the opposite direction, exploring mixed media and abstract works. A part of Arts Mid North Coast’s Shared Practice mentee cohort, Bee brings the spirit of experimentation, freedom and strength to all her creative work.

Can you tell us a bit about your background?

I’m Bee Hudson, a mixed media artist based on the beautiful Mid North Coast of NSW. I’ve always been drawn to creative expression, but over time painting has become a really important part of how I explore, process and express the world around me. I love the freedom of abstraction and the way art allows me to communicate things that sometimes words can’t.

I’ve been practicing as an artist for over eight years now, but I’ve always been drawn to creative activities since I was a young child, whether that be painting, sewing or crafting of some sort. In my early-twenties, I designed and sold handmade purses and bags but I really honed in on painting and mixed media towards my late-twenties.

Through art, I’ve found a way to make sense of difficult experiences, reconnect with myself and navigate my own healing journey. It’s become a space where I can express emotions, find freedom and strength, and rediscover parts of myself along the way.

*Is there a dream that can come from this nightmare*, Bee Hudson.

What are you working on now, and what is the story, concept or inspiration driving it all?

I’m continuing to explore a body of work centred around transformation, emotional expression and the healing power of art. My practice is very intuitive and process driven, allowing each painting to evolve organically without too much expectation or control. Much of my inspiration comes from personal experiences, memories and emotions, and my own journey of navigating difficult experiences, healing and reconnecting with myself through creativity. This will form my body of work for the Shared Practice program.

I love the freedom of abstraction and the way colour, texture and expressive mark-making can communicate feelings that sometimes words can’t. Each piece becomes a journey of its own, reflecting different layers of emotion, growth and self-discovery. I’m really interested in exploring how art can become a form of release, empowerment and transformation, both for myself and, hopefully, for those who connect with my work. I’m still in the early stages of planning, but I’m enjoying the personal exploration and time to consider these works.

What materials, tools, or processes do you typically work with, and what draws you to them?

I work in mixed media using acrylics, incorporating oil pastels, graphite, pencil and paint markers. I love the possibilities that come from layering different materials, creating texture and building up marks over time. I do experiments across a variety of mediums including canvas, paper, wood and I love how they can all show a different side of a work.

With the elements of abstraction and mixed media in your work, how do you choose specific palettes, subjects and the moods/emotions your work conveys?

It’s a bit cliche, but going with the flow has always worked better for me than trying to plan and stick to a rigid idea in my mind. I’ve got a few trusty favourite colours and I use my sketchbooks daily to play with colours, see what works (and doesn’t!). So when I get onto a canvas, I’ve got an idea of what colours will go, but I do like to intuitively choose while I’m in the middle of painting, depending on how I’m feeling.

Abstraction gives me the freedom to work intuitively and express emotions without needing to tell a literal story. My colour choices are often driven by how I’m feeling, memories, or things I notice in the natural environment around me. I love playing with contrasting colours, unexpected combinations and expressive marks. I love to work big, but I also like to work small and fast, mainly so I don’t overthink it!

How do you approach a blank canvas, keep the ideas flowing and overcome any creative obstacles?

It’s hard but I try not to overthink the beginning. I’ll often start with getting some marks down first to break up the newness of a canvas or paper and take some of that pressure off. I’ll then work in some colours, layers and shapes to allow the painting to form from there. It’s about being curious, experimenting and trusting the process rather than worrying about the outcome and finished piece. If I get stuck, I’ll step away, add another layer or set it aside and come back to it later. I’ve learned over time that not every mark or favourite part needs to be in the final work, sometimes we have to love them and paint over them to allow the work to be what it needs to be.

Can you tell us a bit about your journey as an artist?

My journey as an artist has been one of exploration, experimentation and gradually finding my own creative voice. I’ve tried many, many creative outlets along the way, and I think they’ve all shaped my practice in different ways, but I’ve always found myself drawn back to painting and incorporating mixed media.

I studied art throughout school and was always eager to absorb and experiment with anything and everything. I explored a lot of figurative work, with my Year 12 major work focusing on typhoid and disease, which I represented through a series of still life compositions using rotting fruit. I later went on to study architecture and design at university, which introduced me to a much more technical and structured way of thinking and creating. I spent a lot of time working with precision and technical drawings which was incredibly valuable, but I think it also made me realise just how much I crave the opposite in my art practice.

I’ve always been pulled back towards abstraction. I love its freedom, fluidity and unpredictability. Where architecture and technical drawing require such precision and control, painting allows me to loosen the reins, embrace the messiness and let things unfold organically.

It’s become a way for me to work through experiences, explore emotions and express things that aren’t always easy to put into words. I’m learning to trust the process rather than control every little detail, and I think that freedom and willingness to embrace the unexpected is what continues to draw me to abstract and mixed media work.

In your development as an artist, what has been the most helpful practice, understanding or lesson you’ve learned along the way?

Probably learning to trust myself and let go of the need to make everything perfect. I’ve realised that the most interesting work often comes from experimentation, taking risks and allowing things to happen organically. Not every painting needs to be resolved straight away, and not every mark needs to make sense. Giving myself permission to play, make mistakes and enjoy the process has been one of the biggest lessons.

Also, it’s super important to realise that we as artists don’t work in a vacuum. It’s much more enjoyable to get out, experience some shows and interact with other creatives. The sense of community that I’ve found through the Shared Practice program has been amazing and I am honestly so excited to see how we all come together to create our own bodies of work and how these reflect our practice individually and together.

How do you hope audiences will respond to or engage with your work?

I’d love people to connect with my work in their own way and find something of themselves within it. My art is about much more than colour and composition; there’s often a deeper thread of memory, emotion, healing, self expression and transformation running through it. Having experienced domestic violence and the journey of recovering from trauma, art has become an incredibly important outlet for me, a way to process difficult experiences, reconnect with myself and find a sense of freedom and strength through creativity.

I don’t necessarily want to dictate what someone should see or feel when they look at a painting. Instead, I hope the colours, textures and expressive marks evoke a memory, stir an emotion or create a moment of reflection. If my work can make someone feel something, help them connect with their own experiences or simply remind them of the beauty and possibility of personal transformation, then that means a lot to me.

What does your involvement in Shared Practice mean to you, and how is it going so far?

Being part of Shared Practice has been a really valuable opportunity to step outside my usual creative space, connect with other artists and learn from different perspectives. It’s encouraging to be part of a community where experimentation and individual creative journeys are supported. I’ve particularly enjoyed the opportunity to share ideas, gain confidence in my practice and feel more connected to the local arts community. It’s a reminder that being an artist doesn’t have to be a solitary journey.

So far, we’ve had some great opportunities and workshops that form part of our professional development. These have allowed us to stretch ourselves creatively and try something different which is just so fun. I’ve also met some amazing people and just been welcomed into the art community in this region. There’s so much support out there and amazing people to learn from as we grow in our own artistic practice.

What’s next for you in your creative journey?

I’ll be exhibiting with Pseudonym Gallery as part of their group show ‘HOME’, from November 27 until December 17.
I’ll be at the Old Cheese Factory (OFC) Markets on November 29.
I’m currently working on the bones of my body of work for our Shared Practice Group exhibition for 2028.
I’ve just recently licensed some art through Arts Mid North Coast’s gift card project and this is something that sounds really interesting and I’d like to explore this more.
And, as always, I’ll be trying new creative avenues and experimenting with how these can relate back to my practice.