Audrey Beharie-McGee
Fine Artist and Photographer
"When spirit, body, soul and creativity
are in union and align - then THAT is when the magic and beauty happens!" British born Audrey Beharie-McGee is a self-taught emerging fine artist and photographer living in both Atlanta, Georgia, USA and London, UK. She is married to Atlanta-based storyboard artist and illustrator, Brian McGee, and they have been blessed to a blended family consisting of four amazing children - Roxanne, Jason, Brielle and Lili and five adorable grandchildren - Hannah, Noah, Eli, Savannah and Luca! Audrey is also a singer, songwriter, music producer and vocal coach with over 40 years experience in the music and entertainment industry. THE EARLY DAYS Having learnt to read at an early age, she was curious about the world her, She always wanted to know how everything worked and possessed an enormous vibrant energy which would later fuel her creative and artistic career. As she grew into her teens, Audrey was lucky enough to have a tenacious spirit that allowed her to experiment with entrepreneurial ventures, thus discovering talents and gifts that she would later use as a backdrop to her life. After winning the coveted “Miss Afro West-Indies Pageant” in 1981, when we was just 21 year old, everything drastically changed. The Miss Afro West Indies Pageant system allowed Audrey to discover the wealth or enormity of being confident in our own self and appreciate the development of her self-assuredness. The prize package that she was awarded a cash $5,000 (which was a lot of money in 1981!), a 1-year contract with the Pageant organization, an all-expenses paid trip to Barbados and Nigeria, Africa in the capacity of "Miss Afro-West Indies 1981", a plethora of sponsored prizes. However, one of the main prizes within the package was the incredible opportunity to train at the prestigious modeling and finishing school - The London Academy of Modeling, in London, UK which specialized in grooming young ladies in all aspects of etiquette, social graces, deportment and social/interpersonal skills. The Academy was run by renowned celebrity modeling coach, writer and body language expert, Judi James, who has trained some of the big names in the industry including the likes of supermodel, Naomi Campbell, and is a leading communication and body language expert whose expertise is sought after in broadcast, corporate and public relations circles. Audrey always had a flair and competency for creative writing and some of her poetry where noticed by a music producer who wanted to use them for his demos. By chance, this would be her first entrance into the music industry which she so loved and this lead her and her former husband, Julian, to be signed by PWL Records (the label responsible for Rick Astley "Never Gonna Give You Up", Kylie Minogue, Dead Or Alive, Jason Donovan, Bananarama to name just a few) and then signed to a major recording contract at Polydor Records. Later, Audrey and Julian would formed their own independent records label - Raja Records - where they released their second single "Amazin". Audrey would then go on to form B.R.E Productions, record label - Inner City Groove Records and recording studio - Hourglass Studios in London, UK. In 1988, whilst working for avid art collectors, Sir Paul McCartney and the late Linda McCartney at their offices in London, UK, Audrey developed an appreciation for the arts, where she was able to come face-to-face with some of the world's most prolific artists of our time. She became intimately familiar with the Neo-impressionism of Vincent Van Gogh, Édouard Manet, Claude Monet and was particularly touched by the psychedelic canvas works of Peter Max, enthralled by the pop, collage and abstract artwork of Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg and the precision and pure geometry abstraction of Piet Mondrian. Yes indeed, Audrey's eyes, soul and spirit was able to experience the full impact and energy of these incredible artists, their works and the intricate interweaving of paint, colors, fabrication, media and elements that brought these thought-provoking substrates and creations to life - in living color! This experience would open up a whole new and exciting world for Audrey and change her outlook on life....forever! LEAVING HER NATIVE HOME FOR A NEW LAND WITH GOD'S GRACE In 2009, Audrey would leave her native land, England and arrived in Georgia, USA. She quickly went ahead to reestablish her vocal and performing arts academy and, in 2012, with her husband, Brian, they formed B.R.E. Productions International, Inc which, collectively, pools in their many varied and complementary talents within the arts, music, performing and entertainment industry. Decades later, in 2016 Audrey was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease - an auto-immune condition which resulted in a host of debilitating health conditions including the deterioration of her vocal chords. This was a devastating blow to Audrey in many levels of her creativity essence, life and overall health. However, whilst celebrating their honeymoon on a cruise ship, Audrey and Brian were invited to attend an art gallery event and immediately, she felt that long-lost fire in her spirit rekindled as she re-discovered her love, excitement and appreciation for art! YAHWEH had, indeed, opened up another door for her which is full of endless possibilities to feed life back into her soul! On her return to Georgia, Brian busied himself buying art equipment and converted their spare bedroom into an art studio. Audrey wasted no time in immersing herself into her new love and began, with earnest, to study and embrace some of the world's most prolific artist that inspired her. Audrey's artistic influences are truly impressive and diverse, drawing inspiration from a wide array of renowned artists across different styles and periods. Each of these artists, from the bold abstractions of Mark Rothko to the vibrant narratives of Peter Max, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Mark Rothko, Mark Bradford, Henri Matisse, Rashid Johnson, Howardena Pindell, Mark Bradford, David Driskell, Kehinde Wiley, Jean Michel Basquiat, Jacob Lawrence brings a unique perspective and technique to the world of art. It's fascinating how Audrey finds inspiration in the uninhibited freedom with which these artists approached their work. This freedom allows for a dynamic exploration of color, form, and expression, which are evident in Audrey's own original artwork. By channeling the influences of these great artists, Audrey likely creates pieces that resonate with both depth of technique and emotive power, offering a compelling visual experience for her clients and viewers alike. Audrey's eyes, soul and spirit would, literally experience the full impact of these incredible artists, their works, life stories, evolution and their methodology of how to intricately interweave paint, colors, fabrication and other elements that bring canvas or substrate to life! |
Her husband was integral in inspiring, motivating and encouraging her talent and, after a long while of immersion in which Audrey doubted her ability as an artist, she suddenly found her “mojo" and, with GOD's grace, she was able to embrace the confidence to go ahead and develop her own signature style.
She now enjoys her continuing and growing fascination and love for fine art, and actively encouraged her to explore her new found love in all it's context - through texture, color, dimension, spirit and emotion. Feeding and fueling her creative expression gave her the opportunity and inspiration to explore, create, discover and delve into areas of her artistic learning curve that she never thought would be possible. Audrey has discovered so much freedom and abandonment in the realms of the mixed media movement which she feels is very similar to writing a well-honed song which encompasses all the subtle parts -verse, bridge and chorus - to create a beautiful ballad or soulful tune! When spirit, body, soul and creativity are in union - then the magic and beauty happens! With intense hues, varied tones and organic materials, Audrey feels that every scrape of a pallet knife, splat of splashed paint, tear of paper and dab of acrylic or watercolor allows her imagination to soar and run free. And, with integrating her photography work with her mixed media art, Audrey is driven by her passion to explore new forms of expression. "SOULISM" - The Human Experience - A Journey Through Photography, Mixed Media and Abstract Art" integrates her works as a photographer with the amalgamation of her passion for mixed media, collage and abstract art to create some truly excitingly and innovative original art pieces which explores the human experience and emotions. Audrey firmly attributes all of her gifts, talents and acumen to the strength and belief that GOD gives everyone the ability to be a blessing in this world and that we are all channels for his grace and to bring happiness, laughter and joy into the souls of our fellow human beings. She is in a constant state of thanksgiving for all the ways in which YAHWEH GOD has been able to use her throughout her life and every day is a beautiful and wonderful day to create something equally BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL. EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS Audrey has had the honor and privilege to exhibit her work as a featured artist at the following shows:-
CHARITY WORK Audrey also donates her work to the acclaimed BATTERSEA BALL in London, UK which is integral in raising funds for the Battersea Crime Prevention Panel. The charity is involved in providing a better and safer environment for their community by providing schemes and opportunity for under underprivileged young people who come mainly from the poorer and more deprived areas of Battersea and Balham, London, UK. They often have absent parents and the street becomes their playground which is where many problems arise. Boredom and poverty are a dangerous combination and with a lack of positive direction many of the young turn to crime or become victims of crime. Audrey is extremely excited about the journey ahead and, with GOD's grace, guiding spirit, wisdom and favor in everything she puts her hand too, is dedicated to creating an eclectic collection and immerse herself into the realms and exploration of medium, substrates, hue, texture, value, tone and artist expression. Through the creation of visual art, Audrey has found familiar territory to that of composing a well-crafted song which, expresses all the integral facets of superb lyrics, well-crafted instrumentation, subtle melody, sultry harmonies and cadence, work in concert to create BEAUTY! Audrey's faith and trust in THE ALMIGHTY CREATOR truly is the driving force behind all Audrey's endeavors because, as she says "WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE". |
All artworks are Copyright Protected by Audrey Beharie-McGee. All artworks may not be reproduced, copied, downloaded, screenshot, edited or used in conjunction with any websites, blogs, social media posts, as part of an image gallery or in other derivations without the express written permission of the artist. All copyrights and reproduction rights are reserved and retained by the artist.