BEVERLEY FITZWILLIAM  HARRIES
by Simone Hamel-Smith

Born in Trinidad in 1956, Beverley always had a strong appreciation for Art throughout her primary and secondary education; therefore studying Fine Art in Canada with a Painting Major was a natural choice.  After pursuing Painting with experimental themes in Canada, which was the contemporary trend in the late 70’s, she returned to Trinidad and worked with watercolours and West Indian reality.  

For 19 years Beverley was the Art Teacher at Bishop Anstey High school in Port of Spain, and an Assistant Examiner for CXC Art & Craft and SBA in Barbados and Trinidad respectively.  She also conducted evening classes and small workshops for adults. 

Whilst teaching, she painted sporadically, mostly on commissions and with the odd burst of energy from painting buddies.   Teaching art often develops a rift between the creative and teaching mode for artists.  Robert Genn once wrote, “Art teachers who would also be artists have unique challenges.  Coming down after a day of words may take a decompression chamber…. Some art instructors find a daily transition to the worker mode almost impossible and must wait for holidays or sabbaticals” (Painters Keys weekly letter of Feb.4 2005). 

Beverley resigned from her teaching post and migrated in 1997 to Jamaica and 2000 to St. Lucia with her family.  Living in St. Lucia gave her the blank canvas to start again.  She joined friends and artists in close-by Barbados where she attended workshops with Margaret Roseman and Heidi Berger, which were a great inspiration.  She has now returned to Trinidad to live and works with acrylics on canvas as well as watercolour & wax-resist on masa paper (Japanese rice paper). 

Over the years, Beverley took part in several group and collective shows in Canada, Barbados and Trinidad and recently had successful solo shows both in St. Lucia and Trinidad.  

 

Bossiere House

 

Mayaro Clouds