Kaly Beede is an Arkansas based visual artist who creates sculptures that explore themes of self-worth, individuality, and love and unity. She works with the abstract, found objects, colorful textiles and vintage furniture to convey her messages and create visually engaging pieces that start a conversation.
Kaly’s work has been displayed in multiple juried shows and student exhibitions at Arkansas State University. She has also been a part of group shows such as the “One Night Only” Exhibition at 501 Steakhouse in Jonesboro, Arkansas and the “Hot Off The Press II” Printmaking show at Henderson State University. She has also been awarded various scholarships from the Arkansas State University Department of Art + Design and is a recipient of the A-State Student Research & Creativity Grant Competition.
After graduation, Kaly Beede plans to continue develop her artistic practice while finding new ways to connect to the viewer and spread her message. Ultimately her goal is to provide the audience with her own truth and vulnerability so that they feel more comfortable and confident in their own, which is something that she will be able to steadfastly pursue and expand in the future across many fields.
“The act of celebrating the unity, love, and emotion of life is the center of my artistic expression, and inhabits everything I create. The most important thing to me while creating is to make connections with the viewer that will make them feel seen, worthy and a little less alone. I work with the abstract, found objects, colorful textiles and vintage furniture to convey my messages and create visually engaging pieces. My work is meant to be a warm reminder of the things we tend to forget about ourselves, our worth, and our purpose in life.
I strive to allow the audience to feel what I feel. Everything in my life inspires my art. My experiences, hardships, breakthroughs, relationships and observations are what shape the messages that I want to share with the world. I want my work to start conversations and make people feel at home; I want people to look at my work feel something special and warmly familiar. Ultimately my art is about truly reaching the viewer; I want to provide them with my own truth and vulnerability so that they feel more comfortable and confident in their own.”
Birthday Table
Every year on our birthday, my mom would set up a “birthday table” complete with our presents, a bouquet, our dessert of choice and whatever unique things she picked out for us. It will always be one of my favorite traditions because of how special it made me feel. I wanted to give that feeling to each of you in the best way I knew how.
You are so incredibly special, you are loved and worthy and the world is so lucky to be graced by your presence. Today may not be your birthday, but it’s a special day nonetheless because you are here. In the basket on the table I have written a card for you, pick one out and take it with you. When you read it, know that I wrote that especially for you. You deserve everything beautiful in this life and I hope this year you feel happy and hopeful about the purpose that I see so clearly in you. No matter what, remember how truly perfect you are in every way. You were born perfect and that’s how you will stay. I love you.
Head full of doubt, Road full of Promise
“There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in
And demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I'll scream til I die
And the last of those bad thoughts are finally out”
-The Avett Brothers
Lie down on the bottom bunk, grab a marker, and write your dreams on the board above you. Read the words that were written before you and reflect on the importance of your own desires. Be inspired by the dreams of others as you make yourself a promise to fight for yourself in this life. Your battle is about realizing that goodness has been within you from the very beginning. That your life is, and always will be, highly favored and unequivocally significant. When thoughts of doubt start to creep in, remind yourself that you are worthy of happiness and fulfillment, and not only are you capable, but you were made for this. Stand confidently in your calling, nurture your inner child, and decide what to be and go be it.
Vessels
You take our weakness, You set Your treasure
In jars of clay
So take this heart, Lord, I'll be Your vessel
The world to see, Your life in me.
Everything here is a vessel capable of fostering the growth of something beautiful. Some are new, others are old. Some vessels look tired, unruly, and out of place. They are all different, all with seemingly different purposes and pasts; all with one thing in common. They all are worthy of life.
Take a seat and look at yourself in the mirror.
You are a vessel capable of fostering the growth of something beautiful.
You are resilient.
You are valuable.
You are more than your past.
You are more than your appearance.
You are more than your failures, your family, and your fears.
You are more than what you have done, and what has been done to you.
You are more than your wildest dreams.
You are highly favored and you have endless potential.
You are loved beyond measure.
You are worthy of life.
Words of Wisdom
For a few years I have been collecting “quotes” from my family and friends. Some are sweet, some are weird, but the majority are absolutely ridiculous things that they say without thinking. This collection of quotes says so much about the people I know so well and shows the unplanned and hilarious layers that make up each and every one of us. I wanted to bring a lighthearted and humorous element into my collection of projects because an important part of the enjoyment of life is learning to not take yourself too seriously. This piece is a reminder that it’s okay to let your guard down and be vulnerable, silly and imperfect. Take a moment to open the doors and look through the shirts. You can unfold and refold, do whatever you need to read them! I hope it inspires you to embrace the side of yourself that stumbles over sayings, asks silly questions, and says the things that are on your heart. You never know how much someone could use your words of wisdom.
