A Masterclass in Expression: Beverley Baker’s Viral Visual: Art that Pops the Feed

Written By CEV ART GALLERY .

A Portrait Beyond the Surface - Faceless Series by Beverley Baker | Location: Glastonbury, Somerset, UK

Beverley Baker Headshot

Beverley Baker’s creative journey is a testament to the quiet power of curiosity, craftsmanship, and courage. From her childhood days designing paper flip-flops and jewelry to her current work in set and costume design for film, theatre, and stop-motion, Beverley has followed an evolving path centered in exploration and self-reflection. As the recipient of Jurors Choice Best in Show, her work, Faceless Series, resonates with vulnerability and vision, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into identity, perception, and emotion. In this interview, Beverly shares how her multidisciplinary background, artistic discipline, and playful introspection continue to shape her voice and visual storytelling.

Let’s start from the beginning... can you share a bit about your creative journey and what led you to the work you’re doing today?

I've always been creative, drawing, painting, sewing etc., my first projects as a child involving paper flipflops and jewelry as well as lots of drawing! As I grew up, I was more focused on fine art, studying GCSE Art and then a UAL Extended Diploma in Creative Practice which significantly improved my basic art skills and taught me lots of new techniques such as ceramics and printmaking. I then kind of fell into my uni course at Arts University Bournemouth studying BA Design for Costume and Performance, which was an amazing experience, though I'm not quite sure how I ended up there as I really didn't know what to apply for after college! Now, I'm a set and costume designer for film, theatre and stop-motion I'm also a practicing fine artist who predominantly explores self-portraiture in acrylics or pencils, to understand myself better without words.

What inspires your creative process, and how do you stay motivated through challenges or creative blocks?

Once I get going with a painting I feel like I have to finish it even if I'm not in a rush because I so badly want to see it finished! I begin by composing a reference that will then get transferred to the canvas or paper with grid lines as I'm very specific about what I want. Creative blocks happen pretty often especially during uni with the stress of coursework, but I try to schedule time to work in my sketchbook in the week so there's not the pressure of constantly working on something big and final, sometimes it's good to take it slow and draw something looser for fun.

How has your identity or personal experiences shaped your voice as an artist and entrepreneur?

My degree in Design for Costume and Performance has influenced my art in terms of spatial awareness (set design) and the way clothing drapes and folds on people (costume design) which has been invaluable in composing ideas. I also enjoy merging these two aspects of my creative life; there's so much crossover between my course and what I do in my free time such as scenic painting for sets, modelmaking, styling clothes and drawing costume designs.

Can you share a project or moment in your journey that felt especially meaningful or transformative for you?

My Faceless series was transformative in that it was my first time with acrylics since college, and somehow without any practice attempts they turned out exactly how I wanted which was pretty brave! It's ignited my love for painting and now I have many more planned.

Tell us more about the "Faceless Series" and what was your inspiration behind the process?

They actually started out ironically because I found it funny that I usually only paint self portraits and was thinking about how that concept came across to other people, like do others see it as I'm actually really self-centred? I feel really comfortable painting self-portraits as I know my face really well by now, and it's harder to offend myself rather than other people! Faceless is an exploration of my thoughts and feelings, a reflection of how objects shape our identities without actually revealing any facial features.

Through her compelling self-portraiture and immersive design work, Beverly Baker challenges us to consider the invisible threads that tie emotion, identity, and creativity together. Her Faceless Series strips away the obvious to reveal something far more personal, what we choose to conceal, express, or discover when words fall short. As an artist constantly evolving while remaining rooted in authenticity, Beverley’s Jurors Choice Best in Show recognition is not just a celebration of technical skill, but a well-deserved tribute to the raw honesty, Drost effect and depth that define her work.

CEV ART GALLERY .
Next

1st Place Winner of the Color Play Abstract Art Contest: Christina Spann