Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Beaches.
Karen, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always likened myself to an icon of the silent movie era.
From a young age, my mother taught me that art was important. It wasn’t something she said explicitly, but rather something I observed, as her left hand manipulated letters from the newspaper into animals with the stroke of an ink pen. As she made Mrs. Buttersworth speak to me in such detail that I can recall conversations. Through her gifts and her unique ability to observe the worlds of inanimate objects, I grew into an artist.
I began to wear her clothes, my grandmother’s clothes, to create and play with voices until finally, Karen Beaches became alive. Karen is the fool of the Shakespeare play. She is an individual who embraces failure and continues to laugh. She is everyone’s comic relief.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Growing up among the hay fields and deciduous trees of conservative Pennsylvania, I often felt judged for expressing myself fully. My craving to explore various colors of my human identity, wear female clothes, pierce my ears, and paint my face in gilded geometric patterns was a secret. As my family and community began to discover and embrace my passion, I turned into my own biggest obstacle. I conditioned myself to continuously critique every detail of my features, gestures, walk, voice, and genetic makeup.
“You are not good enough,” and “you are unlovable,” was the chorus of the theme song that I sang on repeat in my head. Over time, I only observed the glass of water as half empty and never half full. My mind was locked and fixated on the hateful phrases of the past I was unable to let go. I never celebrated any of my successes. This manner of thinking is not healthy. No-one should live their life this way.
I have started trying to speak “I love you, Karen,” out loud to myself in my darkest moments. When I am sad, self-conscious, scared; sometimes when I’m delighted or even just amazed at my own beauty to the point where I believe “I should have been born a girl.” I speak these words. “I love you, Karen.”
I encourage young people and really everyone with a beating pulse to audibly confess their love for themselves out loud; even if it feels forced, fake, or false. This is the start of something great. Be patient as you reprogram and heal from the stones thrown.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I started drag in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which is “The Real Housewives: In The Middle of Nowhere.” This was where I learned how to do my makeup. One of my sisters taught me how to contour and powder (my drag has been better ever since). A year after, I packed up my wigs and moved to California to attend grad school at CalArts for Theater.
Performance art plays a big role in my drag. I have a passion for physical theater and explore a wide variety of physical techniques in my own performance. My pallet of movement fluctuates in and out of contact improvisation, aerial dance, trapeze, corporeal mime, Skinner Releasing, and abstract body flux.
Currently, my team and I are creating a mockumentary web-series featuring the behind the scenes of my life. In my world, anything is possible. (My neighbor is a monkey). The series is quirky, timeless, and “oddly relatable” according to Thomas Edison. A majority of the web series episodes are 3-7 min long because let’s be honest, this generation can’t sit down and watch something unless it’s Game of Thrones (not hating on GOT, remember I am a queen). The series will be released this summer, please check out my IG @karenbeaches for more info.
Besides performing, I am beauty influencer. I advertise for several cosmetic brands. My personal favorite is Nasty Woman Cosmetics. All proceeds from their sales benefit Emily’s List, a political action committee dedicated to helping progressive Democratic women become elected to all levels of government. Makeup has always been a deep passion of mine. For a few years, I was a face designer and business manager for Giorgio Armani Beauty. This allowed me to improve my craft and understand all sides of the beauty world. Recently, I have started doing Beauty Hauls on Instagram. It’s truly a great way to connect with my viewers and let them be a part of my journey.
My next work will be a Slime Tutorial by Tom C. Media, a Super 8 film, “Boudoir,” by Parker Love Bowling, and Drag Competition starting April 17th-June 19th at The Revolver Video Bar in West Hollywood.
Tom C. Media production company (@tomcmedia).
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
There are expectations associated with gender. We live in a world that only fully embraces the “white hetero male.” Drag is an opportunity to spit on what is normal and ignore our society’s definition of “what it means to be a woman.” Embrace something different. Gay issues are feminist issues. Issues with people of color are feminist issues.
I look to drag as an opportunity to be the male but look like the wife. To be a leader, but embrace the fool. To reject convention. The intention behind my work is to seek enjoyment with zero guilt and to empower all those around me. This performance art is my middle finger to the patriarchy. Drag is an opportunity to challenge the status quo.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @karenbeaches
- Facebook: @karenbeaches
- Twitter: @karenbeaches
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
