by Jennifer Charron

Jeffrey K. Bedrick is known throughout the world for his visionary/sci-fi/fantasy art, which is displayed on greeting cards, web sites, and in galleries. Bedrick's field as an artist covers not only just print art, but also digital art. He recently designed a fully interactive utopia world, and among other things, is persuing writing. Bedrick, currently located in Los Angeles California with his new wife and child, is working on a swarm of new projects. Our own Jennifer Charron interviews Bedrick about his art, and more.

Where were born and raised?

Born in Providence, Rhode Island. My family moved to Northern California when I was ten.

Did the way you were raised have an effect on you as an artist?

Good question. The answer is probably yes, but not in the way you might think. I discovered art on my own, but the Bohemian lifestyle of my family in the 70s exposed me to a sensibility that included psychedelia and spirituality. These qualities certainly influenced my early work.

Do you have any siblings or children?

I have a younger sister. My beautiful daughter Anja was just born on September 7, 2000.

What would you say your style of art falls mostly under if you had to catagorize it?

The style for which I have received the most recognition has been called Visionary, Fantasy, or Romantic realism. Each of these names have connotations or limitations which keep them from being very accurate, but I think most people can get a rough idea from them.

Where did you learn your craft?

Mostly self-taught, but I got a real boost during a private apprenticeship with a well-known artist named Gage Taylor when I was sixteen. Since then, I have learned new techiques from almost every artist acquaintance, collaborator or project that I have worked on.

Do you have a favorite medium to use? Why is it your favorite?

Most of my paintings are done in the traditional medium of oil on canvas. It was my favorite for many years because it was what I knew the best. I also believed that I was helping to keep a noble artform alive. Nevertheless, I am equally comfortable with other more contemporary media including airbrush and even digital computer art which I use for commercial assignments. More recently, I have been professionally designing and creating virtual 3D worlds on the computer.

Do you have a favorite painting or drawing and why?

Yes, "Daybreak" by Maxfield Parrish or maybe "Rainy Season in the Tropics" by Frederick Church. Oh, you mean one of my own? I knew that. Not really, but my most requested image by far is "Angel in Blue", painted back in 1985.

Where are the galleries that display your work?

I have exhibited at many well-established galleries in San Francisco, Beverly Hills, New York, Chicago, and Tokyo, however none currently since I have been occupied with more commercial work.

Are you working on any new and exhiting projects you can tell us about?

Yes. I am working with a new fine art rep and publisher called Platinum Raven. They will be producing a new line of limited edition reproductions of my most popular images. There is also serious talk of mounting a major exhibit of new originals in Tokyo (once I have painted them.)

In the meantime, I am lead artist for an online 3D interactive community called Cybertown. As I mentioned, I design and build interactive 3D worlds and animated characters called avatars that members can use to represent themselves.

Also, I recently completed my art directorial debut on a humorus animated short film.

Finally, I am about to begin work on a seried of book illustrations on a classic children's holiday story that will someday be a major animated feature film.

Who is your favorite artist?

There are so many, but I mentioned Maxfield Parrish and Frederick Church. Also, J.W. Waterhouse, Gustav Klimt and Matisse come to mind.

Why did you want to become an aritst? And when did you know that's what you wanted to be?

Like most kids, I liked to draw pictures. Pretty early on, everyone noticed that I was good at it. That encouraged me to continue. I could do photo-realistic renderings by the time I was twelve, so I was pretty sure even then that I'd stick with it.

Why do they call your art visionary? Do you see the future? Or is it just your look at life the way it is now?

"Visionary" was a term coined by an old friend and artist colleague of mine named Norman Steigelmeyer (now deceased) to describe a movement of art that grew out of the post-psychedelic era and focused on mostly spiritual or idealized utopian "visions". By my association with this group, the name stuck long after the description fit well.

What do you think will happen in the near future?

There are always many possibilites, but I am focusing on opportunites that will allow me to spend more time at home with my family. This might mean going back to doing fine art full time after about six years doing other things. It will be coming full circle.