Meet Marly Beyer | Artist and Art Instructor

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

Hi Marly, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Art has always been this innate thing for me, so in some ways it didn’t feel like a choice so much as the inevitable. I always knew I wanted to be an artist and work in that realm, and I’ve been very lucky that I’ve been able to pursue doing so. Artistic lives and professions come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. I have worked a variety of art-related gigs and jobs, and there was a long time where I was focused on making those add up enough to where I could quit also working in restaurants. I’m 39 years old and feel like I’m only just now starting to have what could be called a “career” in the field, in both art and teaching, and I’m excited and hopeful about how it all continues to unfold.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I work these days in combination of ceramics and watercolor drawings. They’re pretty different, visually, but they are the same thing to me in that they’re both very narrative-driven. Story has always been a big thing in my own work and something that tends to interest me in the works of others. I’m happy and proud that the pots and drawings have been well-received, especially recently, and I’m hopeful about how things will continue to unfold. But however the future rolls, I’m excited to continue my own explorations and unraveling of the current stories and whatever come next.

It’s been a long journey to this point in my life, and I still really feel like I’m at the beginning. Or, a beginning. I think trial and error, stubbornness, dedication, maybe a little impracticality are factors in most artists’ stories. I don’t have it all figured out, but time, continued pursuit, and a lot of letting go of what didn’t make sense have smoothed some wrinkles. I feel very fortunate that as I’ve gotten older things have gotten better, and I continue to find myself in places I never thought I’d be. I’m teaching with PAC and love the work so much. I’m the illustrator for a rad arts/music/culture magazine called Maggot Brain via the record label, Third Man (only in print! Check it out!) My art is in the world sometimes, and people are appreciating it. Teenage me would be losing her mind that I’m standing where I am.

My life is not hard in relation to so many others’, but hard experiences have shaped it and, inevitably, that is reflected in my work. I’ve learned some things about pushing through and moving forward without taking myself too seriously. It’s, generally, difficult to be a person, no matter the road you’re on, and I try to have a lens on that in life and in art.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ha. I feel like I’m always terrible at this when I have to come up with answers. I love the funky character of the many old-school places LA has to offer. I lived in Eagle Rock for a long time, so I’m a pretty big fan of Colombo’s. I’d take someone hiking on a favorite magical trail in Altadena, which is where I grew up, and where I live now. I like to bring fancy picnics up there and drink champagne in the woods with friends. I love walking up from Sunset and seeing a Dodger game, and I love chips and salsa Mexican restaurants, so we could go to El Compadre afterward. I’d take a visitor out for dim sum. I’ve always lived on the east side of town, so I don’t make it to the beach often, but it’s so deeply Californian to drive PCH. We could go to Zuma and listen to Tom Petty or Neil Young and drive back through the canyons. My friend, Justine, runs a rad wine bar (called Justine) and very fun vegan bakery (Just What I Kneaded) in Frogtown. She rules, so I’d show her and her amazing places off to any visitor. For a fancy dinner, Loreto, also in Frogtown, has such beautiful seafood, and Dunsmoor in Glassell Park is so great. Brian, the chef at Dunsmoor, is the nicest dude, and the place feels elevated yet comfortable and unpretentious, which is a rare thing in LA, in my opinion.

Growing up, my friends and I would go out to Joshua Tree a lot. I know the desert has changed, but it’s still really magical, and I definitely don’t go out enough these days, so I’d take someone for a night or two to explore that weird and special world.

I lived away from LA for a long time before moving back about 7 years ago, and the access to everything is something I missed, even if I still don’t take advantage of it as much as I’d like. There are endless options, millions of special neighborhoods and hole in the walls, and more museums and excellent galleries than a brain can handle. I always talk about taking a “vacation” to Burbank to go to all the funky Valley places and stay at the Safari Inn. Maybe we’d do that.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes! I was connected with Shoutout by Prison Arts Collective, an organization I work for that offers arts programming and education in prisons throughout the state. I have been teaching with them for over two years and feel lucky to have ended up in this work and with this group for many reasons. Teaching with PAC has expanded my world personally and professionally, in addition to making me a better and more confident artist. For anyone interested in learning more about them, please check out their website www.prisonartscollective.com or on instagram @prison_arts_collective

Website: https://marlybeyer.com

Instagram: marlybeyer