The enchanting tonalism of Clarice Beckett & my artistic awakening

I want to share with you a personal tale of artistic inspiration. This is about the profound influence of a remarkable Australian painter, Clarice Beckett on me. Her captivating works have not only transformed the way I perceive the world but have also ignited my own creativity.

Clarice Beckett’s work

Before we dive into the mesmerizing world of Clarice Beckett’s art, let’s take a moment to uncover the fascinating story of this trailblazing Australian talent. Born in 1887 in the country town of Casterton, Victoria, Beckett emerged as a true visionary of her time after studying with Max Meldrum. Though often overshadowed during her lifetime by her male contemporaries, she fearlessly pursued her passion for painting and left an indelible mark on the art scene.

Beckett’s style is characterized by the enchanting tonalism she employed in her pieces. Tonalism, for those unfamiliar, is a style that focuses on the interplay of light and shade. It aims to evoke a particular mood or atmosphere. And boy, oh boy, did Clarice Beckett know how to masterfully wield this technique!

Her paintings transport you to a dreamlike realm, a place where time seems to slow down. And her world is enveloped in a hushed, ethereal glow. Whether she was capturing the tranquil beauty of a suburban street in the soft glow of twilight or the glistening waters of a serene beach, Beckett had an uncanny ability to distill the essence of a scene with her brushstrokes.

When I first stumbled upon Beckett’s artwork, I was captivated by her ability to infuse a seemingly ordinary scene with a sense of profound mystery. It was as if she had unlocked a secret portal, allowing me to see the world through a different lens. Suddenly, I found myself taking note of the subtle play of light on everyday objects. The interplay of shadows and the way they transformed the mundane into the extraordinary caught my eye. I was already aware of light in particular, thanks to the impressionists, but Clarice’s works took that awareness from merely being about the light, to being about the atmosphere, the mood and the emotions.

But it wasn’t just the subject matter that fascinated me; it was also Beckett’s skillful use of paint. Her delicate touch and masterful blending of colors breathed life into her canvases. It created a symphony of muted tones that whispered their secrets to the viewer. It was in this subtlety, this gentle dance of light and shadow, that I awoke something more than just painting a scene in a lifelike way.

What Clarice Beckett taught me

Beckett’s work taught me the power of observation and patience. It encouraged me to slow down, to pause and truly see the world around me. In a world that often demands non-stop motion, her art reminded me to savor the beauty hidden in the smallest of moments—the way sunlight filters through leaves, casting intricate patterns on the ground, or the soft glow that emanates from a lone streetlamp on a misty evening.

Through Beckett’s influence, I discovered the joy of exploring different techniques and experimenting with new ways of using paint. Her work emboldened me to step outside the boundaries of realism, to embrace abstraction and allow my emotions to guide my brush.

Clarice Beckett’s artistic journey was not an easy one. She faced adversity and the stifling limitations placed upon her as a female artist in a male-dominated era. In addition to that, she was constrained by her family circumstances. This meant she could only paint in the early morning or late afternoon and evening. Yet, despite these challenges, she persisted, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire artists around the world, myself included. I often wonder what would have happened if she hadn’t died so young. Would all those paintings that were burned after her death still be in existence? Would it have elevated her to the most prolific and well known female painter in Australia’s history? We’ll never know. Even so, to me, she is the epitome of the Australian artist, and I adore her work.

I invite you to embark on your own voyage into the enchanting tonal world of Clarice Beckett. Let her paintings wash over you, allowing the subtle nuances and delicate beauty seep deep into your soul. Open your eyes to the extraordinary moments that exist within the ordinary, and let her art kickstart your creativity as well!

If you’d like to see some of Clarice Beckett’s art and find out more about her, here are a few place to look at!

Additionally and interestingly, it is exactly 12 months since I attempted to do a Clarice Beckett style painting in my art class. The picture is below – note, this was simply to attempt something new, and it won’t be for sale.