Bev Preston became “BeaP” when Jim saw her initials - Beverley-Anne Esther Adam Preston – and as he jokingly called her BeaP, a passing car BeaPed twice. The name stuck, and from then on, she signed her art by BeaP, making the name of her work: “Art by BeaP.” In 2016, Jim (from the UK) was on holiday in South Africa when they met, and married 2 weeks later.

 

In 2017, her wildlife series - Africa Dry – was displayed at the Rand Show in Johannesburg, where the phrase “Breaking the White” was coined; Jim and Bev travelled South Africa, selling over 60 original works that year at National shows like Aardklop (Art-heart-throb), the Cherry Festival, Bloem Show, Innibos; and other local art shows. They moved to the Garden Route - South Africa – in 2019, where Bev painted full time for 3 years, creating artworks and doing commissions for clients all over the world. Art by BeaP found it’s way into homes in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Europe, Africa, Sweden, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Netherlands, and is still expanding BeaP's horisons.

 

Bev has loved painting from a very young age, selling her first drawing at age 9, doing commissions and portraits became a part of her life. Between nursing and secretarial roles over the years, she had many art tutors, attended workshops, and kept painting selling her art works.

 

In 2007 Bev studied Teaching at the University of South Africa, with Art in mind, and graduated in 2014 majoring in Art, English, Maths, and Music. Working while studying, she moved to Klerksdorp in 2013, where she tutored privately and from home, and taught Visual Arts at Curro High School while she painted at every opportunity.

 

Jim and Bev stayed in South Africa for 6 years, and recently moved back to the UK, where she now paints full time from the Great Brittans south coast in St Leonard's-on-Sea, as her vibrant works keep travelling the world.