Sarah Beetson

In summer 2014, Australia-based illustrator and artist Sarah Beetson created her own three month long artist residency in Coney Island, which she calls her "favorite place of inspiration." Beetson recounts short visits here -- the first was in 2002 -- and being enthralled by the signage, typography and neon, as well as the thrills, fun and excitement reminiscent of the traveling fun fairs of her childhood in the UK. "I needed to be here on site, sketching and photographing," she says. Beetson works in mixed media. Wood, paper, photography and canvas are a base for spray paint and line drawing.  Though Beetson lives nearly 10,000 miles from New York City, Coney Island continues to be a source of inspiration for her artwork. She visited again in 2015 and plans to be back in August 2016. Her most recent Coney-themed work is the poster for the Dresden Dolls concert at the Coney Island Amphitheater on August 27th.