We recently had the chance to connect with Victoria Beard and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Victoria, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’d like to say I am a wandering path. While to start, one may want to stay on the trail but when you hike further, you’d be seeing the same sights as everyone else. What’s the fun in that? So you walk off the trail to explore and wander and see, because you never know what you’ll find.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a Lone Star State Artist and designer that focuses on western art concepts. My art business is Fís Victoria Art and I started it up back in 2019. Fís is Irish Gaelic for “vision”, so basically my business is “my vision”. I do anything from drawing and painting to engraving on leather, tattoo designs, and putting my art on just about anything I think could be fun. I was born and raised in Plano, Texas and believe that has really shaped my influence towards my art- from volunteering on a ranch, to the music, to growing up watching John Wayne and ol’ westerns. I’ve always loved art and drawing but really started in high school as an escape to my own little world and has just always been there for me through tough times, art and music. Eventually, my favorite original concept, “Fís Ceoil” was born. Fís Ceoil means “Musical Vision” and it’s when I focus on a song, it’s emotion, tune, or lyrics and personally interpret what I see and hear into a piece of art. It is not only my favorite concept, but it became my most personal form of art. I get to reach out to bands and singers who have inspired my Fís Ceoils or they reach out to me- which is always an honor, artist to artist. I also do commissions of people’s pets, portraits, and working with different mediums and events throughout DFW to showcase and sell my brand products. I never limit myself to one thing and rather be a jack of all trades than a master of one.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
Both of my parents taught me most about work growing up and proof that hard work pays off in the end, in different ways. My mother is from Mexico and achieved her dream of being a US citizen through hard work and no handouts and both she and my father are creative in their own ways, from arts and crafts, woodwork, and cooking. They were always supportive of dreams we had and have each lived very eventful lives, and even though we didn’t have much, we had it all. My father, had much wisdom, a simple question could turn into an hour conversation life lesson. He pushed me to move forward making my art a career since he always told me you never want to be stuck in a career or wake up for 9 to 5 job you hate and dread, or else you’d be wasting your life away- but also, make sure to have a stable career. There’s not many parents I hear who would push their kids towards an artistic career path over an education or medical career path and be supportive and proud of them. He knew I was unhappy and still just trying my hardest to get some degree in surg tech, struggling with school. I had my art business on the side for years at that time, and he asked me if I was actually happy doing what I was doing- That question led to best decision of my life and it led me to expanding my creativity in ways I did not think possible. Because of them, I’ve learned to have fun and be confident with how I am as a person and artist by making myself happy with my art, and if others find joy in it, that’s just a plus, not a priority. I take pride in living life and trying your best to get to where you want to be. Especially after my father suddenly passed April, 2024, it made me more mature in realizing what’s more important to me than ever is to just live life, don’t get stuck on the bad and failures, get back in the saddle and keep moving. Being a graphic designer now and then having my business, is the best. The goal I set up for myself, is to have this career and throughout my life to never feel like I worked a day.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The biggest wound in my life was the sudden recent passing of my father, and honestly, that’s something I may never heal from. Grief is strange and powerful especially for someone who was and is your superman, just such a bright man. However, I love imagining that we’re in a big bubble, and as time goes on, life goes on and the bubble keeps getting bigger. I get through days ahead by sharing the impact he had on our lives and continue living and living to the fullest. From music, to art, and being out in nature. The jokes he had and the life lessons I carry with me, there’s a comfort to know he’s always with me and I think how far I have gotten and what I’ve accomplished, I can still hear him say “Daddy’s proud of you”.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. When I was around 21 years old, I really realized how much happier I am being myself and caring less about what others think. Not being able to be myself would be sheltering and suffocating and why would I want to do that? That’d be a depressing life, especially knowing everyone has been so carefully crafted and created uniquely by Gods hands. I go by the saying, “I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. I’m probably whiskey”. So when you meet the tatted, sweet as honey, stubborn as a bull, with a mouth of a sailor, free-spirited, Texan me, that’s me.- so can take it or leave it.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the most at peace in nature. Living my whole life in a bigger town and close to the city gets overwhelming from time to time. A trip up north to lake Texoma, being on a dock watching the sunrise, the sound of ripples in the water and birds chirping, country or indie folk music softly playing in the background is paradise to me. Anywhere in nature is where I feel closest to God, and He is peace. A longer trip would be further up north in New Hampshire. The mountains, trees, lakes, small town charm, and the majestic sound of a loon echoing, gives chills.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fisvbeard.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: fis_victoria
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-beard-
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fisvictoriaart
