Audrey
Beharie-McGee
Fine Artist/Abstract Artist and Photographer
"When spirit, body, soul and creativity
are in union and align - then THAT is when the magic and beauty happens!" My name is Audrey Beharie-McGee and I am a self-taught fine artist and photographer living in Atlanta, GA and also spending time in London, UK. I was born in the United Kingdom where I was singer, songwriter, music producer and vocal coach and came to the Georgia, USA in 2009 where I met my wonderful husband, Brian McGee in 2011. itish born self-taught emerging fine artist and photographer living in Atlanta, GA since 2009. I am also a singer, songwriter, music producer and vocal coach with over 40 years experience in the music and entertainment industry which has been my love and passion forever. I have two incredible children - Roxanne and Jason - who blessed me wit Her multifaceted talents can also be seen in her photography works. I am married to an incredible man Atlanta, GA, USA based storyboard artist and concept illustrator, Brian, and they have a blended family consisting of 4 amazing children and 5 adorable grandchildren and resides in both America and London, UK. Audrey has always had an enormous vibrant energy which has fueled her artistic and creative flair. Having learnt to read at an early age, she was curious about the world her, how everything worked and how to make the best impression. 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. She began singing, songwriting and producing her own material in 1982, and, 1983, were she was signed as a writer and artist for Sir Peter Waterman, the owner of PWL Records and All Boys Music, and then later signed a major recording contract with Polydor Records. In 1988 she formed her own independent records label where she released her second single. 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 fine arts, where she was able to come face-to-face with some of the world's most prolific abstract, pop and impressionists artists of our time. She became intimately familiar with the genius of such luminaries as Gustav Klimt, Jackson Pollock, Wassily Kandinsky amongst countless others, the neo-impressionism of Vincent Van Gogh and was particularly touched by the psychedelic canvas works of Peter Max, and entralled by the pop, collage and abstract artwork of Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg and Jackson Pollock. 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 canvases to life thus experiencing the full impact of their amazing and thought provoking works of art. After leaving her native land, England and arriving in Georgia, USA in 2009, Audrey 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. Unfortunately, in 2015 Audrey was diagnosed with Hashimotos -an auto-immune condition which, sadly, resulted in a host of debilitating health conditions including the deterioration of her vocal chords, hampering her ability to sing - this was a devastating blow to Audrey on all accounts, especially affecting her creative spirit. However, whilst celebrating their honeymoon on a cruise ship, Audrey and Brian were invited to attend one of the Park West 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! GOD had opened up another door for her which is full of endless possibilities! On her return to Georgia, Audrey wasted no time in immersing herself into her new love and began, with earnest, to study and embrace, with adoration, the works of her favorite artists, Peter Max, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Mark Rothko, Mark Bradford, Jean Michel Basquiat, Henri Matisse, Romare Bearden, to name just a few. She became increasingly fascinated by the way in which these artists would create their works with such uninhibited freedom. Being an artist himself, Audrey's husband, Brian quickly recognized her 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 - and just "have fun" during the process. She found that the way in which they created their works with abandon and freedom was something that she aspired to in her spirit, and thus her journey begun. For a few years, Audrey questioned herself and had doubts about her ability but, with constant love and encouragement from her husband, she was spurred on to continue her journey. |
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, innovative and electrifying original art pieces which explores the human experience and emotions. 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. 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 is extremely excited about the journey ahead and 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. |