Kelly Beeman, Nap, 2022; Signed and Numbered Limited Edition Print

Kelly Beeman took to drawing as a hobby from a young age, having been influenced by her creative parents. Now known for her watercolor and oil paintings, the self-taught, Brooklyn-based artist features nonchalant-looking subjects partaking in solitude or social leisure, characterized by clean fluid lines, fields of colors, and fashion ensembles as a recurring motif. Drawing inspiration from childhood nostalgia and the everyday, Beeman’s paintings invite contemplation of deeper layers of narrative and interiority. 

Nap depicts a female character, lounging in bed beside a black cat. As in many of Beeman’s other works, the primary figure—a prototype defined by piercing blue eyes and long, dark hair—lies atop a colorful bedspread, residing in an intimate scene of non-descript domesticity. The image conveys a strong bond between the young woman and the cat, symbolizing the closeness that can form between humans and their companions. For the hand-embellished version of the limited edition, the artist will subtly rework each print with colored pencils.

Of this series, Beeman notes, “The relationship between humans and domesticated animals is fascinating, especially with cats because you have to win them over. When a cat gives you its trust and companionship, it’s very special. That’s why I feature them so often in my work. I love that Little Wanderers NYC supports cats, and also our basic human need to bond with animals.”

ART FOR CHANGE will donate a portion of proceeds from each print sold to Little Wanderers NYC to help fulfill the rescue group’s mission to save cats who would otherwise be overlooked—with an emphasis on the city’s most underserved areas. As in all series, artists will receive 50% of the net proceeds of print sales.

*International customers are responsible for applicable duties and taxes including new VAT fees.
*Unframed prints ship within 1-3 weeks.
*Framed prints ship within 2-4 weeks.