Pete &  Poker
Pete: Hey Poker, What kind of style does she have? Poker: Looks very emotional to me. Pete: That's not a style. . .or is it? Poker: Where do you find out about style? Poker: Look it up at http://artlex.com. Find More About Painting at Art Studio Chalkboard.

Oral History Interview

Artist Beverly Mclver

Why did I choose Beverly McIver?
One day, while strolling through the Arizona State University Art Museum, I noticed a group of small paintings (14 x 16" each). They seemed so sad. I asked the guard who the artist was and where I could find information about her. He directed me to the Museum office. It just so happened that she taught on campus. Next week, I left my phone number with a list of questions. She called me and scheduled an interview on campus.

Here are the results of my interview.

Beverly McIver, "Good Times" (20x30", oil)

Early Childhood?
In 1962, I was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, west of Raleigh. Mom raised three of us and never knew that I wanted to be an artist. We were so poor that she had other things to worry about. She was a single mother and we were on welfare. She couldn't project into the future nor give us direction. As a child, I drew on the wall and was punished for it. I didn't have any art childhood influences. Nothing special happened in elementary school.

In High School?
In high school (1978-81), I took general drawing with a little painting. My art teacher was a big influence. We had the opportunity to have a solo show to hang in a glass case. I did five pencil realistic portraits of my friends. The display included a picture of me and my artist statement. That was a proud moment and the first time that I received recognition though my art.

Other Jobs?
I started with the Clown Club in high school and continued through college. I was a clown for birthday parties, hospitals, and whatever bookings I could get. I wanted to be a professional clown, so I tried to get a job at Ringling Brothers Circus. It was a way to be truly myself, where no judgment as far as gender or race exists. I could hide behind a white face.

Beverly McIver, "The Scream" (16x20", oil)

What Quality Helped You Succeed? What Art Forms Did You Study? What Did You Paint?
At North Carolina Central University (undergraduate, 1981-87) , I studied painting with Elizabeth Lentz, who inspired me. She taught me technique, but more importantly, to be persistent. She told me that If I "stuck with it" eventually I would become a good artist. I was a poor girl from the projects... with no direction. It gave me a goal. She believed that I had talent. I tried still life, mostly apples and lemons. Their feminine forms attracted me. Still life was also a historically accepted subject matter and had a rich history. I wanted to fit in and Black portraits weren't acceptable then.

Where Did You Go to Art School?
In graduate school at Penn State University, I finally had the courage to paint what was important to me. I started to paint portraits then. I had a terrible time with my professors accepting my work.

What Artist Influenced You?
Faith Ringgold visited Penn State and inspired me to paint what I wanted. She invited me to become her assistant at the Atlantic Center for the Arts in Florida. I had a wonderful time. I finally painted portraits of myself. She affirmed my status as an artist--a Black, woman artist.

What is Art?
For me, it's the ability to give voice to something very important to me. . .a desire to share it with everyone through painting.

What is Your Painting Style?
I guess you can say that it is expressionist. That means that I paint my feelings and frustrations through paint. I use the colors to convey my ideas as well.

What is Your Technique?
Painting is very expressive "gooey stuff" that I like to move around the canvas. I use oils. It's luscious like "icing on a cake." It's fun to move this creamy stuff. People say that I paint fast. In the summer, I do one painting every night. Other times, I spend thinking and gathering ideas.

Where Do You Currently Live and Work?
I am an Assistant Professor in painting at Arizona State University. I want to inspire all my students, especially those of minority status, to convey who they really are through their painting. I want them to think deeply about their life relationships and express this in their work. This is not easy.

Where Has Your Work Been Exhibited?
My work has been shown at Greenhill Arts Center, Penland Art Gallery, and the African American Cultural Art Center in North Carolina. My paintings were on exhibit in a show, called "Another Arizona" at the Arizona State University Art Museum (5/6/98).

How Has Your Work Changed?
My subject matter is more complex. It's about relationships, self esteem, identity, wanting to be accepted, sadness and screaming. I feel protective of my sister...a responsibility for her.

Future Plans?
My new paintings will address my mother and sister's relationship. I took photos of them when they visited me here and I saw how inseparable they were. I wondered where am I in the picture. Where do I fit in?

What is One of Your Most Famous Paintings? What Ideas Does Your Painting Reveal?
In this painting series of "Renee and Me," I struggled to make those images co-exist. So my major idea or issue is one of relationship. The images are from photos of myself and my sister, Renee who is mentally challenged. She reminds us all of our imperfections, and commands space and attention. I struggle to find a common ground with her. It was hard for me to emerge. In real life, I was the shadow, because she requires so much attention. Now the roles have reversed. She is a metaphor for me--we are both outsiders. Ironically, even when I hung the painting in a gallery they paid more attention to her. I struggled to find my images to be more honest and liberated. The white clown image has grown up. I learned that I could have a black clown face. Now I have more of a parental role with my sister and a sense of protection of her.

Beverly McIver, Me and Renee Up Close #2 (16x20", oil)

How Did You Get Inspired to Paint It?
In painting these pictures, I placed my face against a window and photographed myself. Not until I developed the photos, did I notice that Renee was grinning and peering over my shoulder in the background...just like in real life. My face is pain. I usually paint in a series but I painted all five of these separately. They belonged to different series like "Good Times." The Museum Curator visited my studio and we both realized that these expressed different emotions. These paintings were part of a Juried exhibition, Another Arizona (1997) at Arizona State University Art Museum.

How Did The Interview Go? What Problems Did You Have?
Beverly and I had an enjoyable two-hour interview (3/4/98). We had coffee. The place was very noisy, so I had to hand write all the answers, even though I brought my tape recorder.