Inside the Artistic Process: The BDD Blog
Hey There!
I’m Becca, the artist behind BeccaDwyerDesign. If you haven’t noticed by now, I love painting, illustrating, and designing. Though my business is primarily focused towards creating murals and custom paintings, I’m also passionate about educating fellow artists and sharing information I learn along the way with the community.
I want to help you succeed by offering a mix of fun how-to projects, cool and inspirational stories, and maybe museum commentary here and there. So, welcome to the BeccaDwyerDesign blog, feel free to scroll through my inner thoughts… you’ve been warned!
Graphic Design
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Painting
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How-to
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Muraling
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Branding
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Illustration
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Museums
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Social Media
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Graphic Design • Painting • How-to • Muraling • Branding • Illustration • Museums • Social Media •
Growing Together: The Community-Centric Future of Botanic Gardens
Imagine the future landscape of botanic gardens in 2050, where these institutions have evolved into vibrant community hubs fostering connection, sustainability, and education. This blog explores the innovative initiatives shaping the botanic gardens of tomorrow, from immersive technology integration to community-supported agriculture programs. Learn how these green spaces are not only preserving biodiversity but also serving as catalysts for social change and community empowerment.
Beneath the Surface: Diving into the Birch Aquarium's Interactive Learning Spaces
In this blog, I'll take you on a journey through Birch Aquarium's interactive learning spaces. During a visit in the summer of 2023, I discovered a fascinating array of marine life, from charming penguins to seahorses, delving into immersive exhibits that bridge the gap between visitors and the wonders of the ocean. As an esteemed institution associated with the Oceanography Institute at the University of California, San Diego, the aquarium’s mission is to connect understanding to protecting our ocean planet. Join me behind the scenes for exclusive glimpses into Birch Aquarium's seahorse breeding programs and ongoing research initiatives, uncovering the institution's commitment to scientific discovery. This blog invites you to accompany me on a captivating journey of exploration, education, and conservation, as the aquarium aims to inspire positive action and safeguard the delicate ecosystems of our precious oceans.
Cindy Sherman's Untitled Film Stills: A Feminist Art Commentary
In this blog post, I explore Cindy Sherman’s iconic photography, feminism, and influence on society. Showing examples from her career, I’ll discuss the controversy surrounding her work, how she challenged societal norms, and questioned portrayals of women in the media at that time. In Sherman’s Untitled Film Series and Fairy Tale Series, she boldly explores controversial themes, making viewers think deeply and reflect. Because of her ability to create thought-provoking art, her photographs continue to impact societal norms, inspire contemporary artists, and contribute to ongoing discussions within the feminist movement.
In the Artist’s Studio: Intentions, Adventures, and The Road Ahead
This blog post gives you an up-close look at my 2024 vision board. After cutting out clips of magazines and adorning the entire thing in stickers, I noticed six pictures that stood out as my major goals for the year. Join me as I break down these six intentions and give you insight into my mindset for the new year. In an attempt to create more moments of joy, connect with my network, and finish my master’s degree with my mental health intact, I’m treating myself with kindness and taking it one day at a time.
Strategic Storytelling: Meagan Hook's Art of Crafting Social Media Connections
Explore social media magic with Meagan Hook, the force behind The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis' digital presence. As the sole architect of social media strategies for the world’s largest children’s museum, Meagan shares insights from her diverse journey, meticulously planning content and fostering engagement across platforms. Gain valuable insights into the strategic use of trust, analytics, and bold TikTok experiments. Meagan's creative collaborations showcase adaptability, offering valuable lessons for cultural institutions.
Painting a Layered Nursery Mural for My Niece, Emily
If you’ve ever searched “nursery mural inspiration” on Google or Pinterest, I’m sure you’ve seen this type of layered mountain technique. In its concept, it’s a simple design that’s relatively easy to recreate and incorporate personal details within. In this blog, I’m going to walk you through the process of how I designed and implemented this type of mural for my baby niece, Emily.
Navigating the Museum Landscape: A Case for Social and Civic Engagement
What is the primary function of a museum? As we moved into the 21st century, the field shifted its priorities from collections and interpretation to the local community. While I do believe that education is essential, I argue that the primary function of museums is to be centers for social and civic engagement and that cultural stewardship, exhibition planning, and education are all supporting roles in this mission.
Painting a Utility Box in La Mesa, California
About a year after painting my first utility box, I got the itch to do it again. So to Google, I went. Since I’d already painted a box in Vista, I expanded my search. I’m from North County San Diego, so I searched for utility box programs up in Los Angeles all the way down to Little Italy, SD.
Painting an Electric Guitar
On a random Tuesday, while aimlessly scrolling through Instagram, I came across a sponsored post from a non-profit organization called ArtReach. The post read “Call for Artists! Guitar Art Auction 2021” and I clicked right away.
Painting My First Utility Box in Vista
Shortly after I moved from a small desert town to Los Angeles, I started noticing all the colorful utility boxes painted around my college campus. It was fun to take mental note of which ones were my favorite and why. After some time, I decided that I would put “paint a utility box” on my art bucket list. And just so you’re aware, this is one of those lists that I keep adding to in the back of my mind, but seldom touch…until this year.
From Canvas to Coastline: My First Mural
In this blog, I share the highlights of my inaugural venture into large-scale mural painting. I take you through the steps of client collaboration, the evolution from paper sketches to a digital masterpiece, and the process of reinforcing, priming, and selecting durable acrylic paints for an outdoor mural. From inventive painting techniques to the final sealing process, I hope reading this leaves you inspired and eager for your own artistic pursuits.
A Year in Watercolor Journaling
Way back in 2017, I decided to start a weekly watercolor journal. Inspired by other artists on instagram, I started this challenge for several reasons. For one, I wanted to improve my skills painting with watercolor. It’s a medium I’ve always admired but didn’t feel confident painting in.
