Local artist profile: Beck Sutton

THIS week we chat with innovative yet traditionalist writer and author Beck Sutton.

What initially motivated you to have a go at writing?

I was 21 years old and working to make ends meet, but life had lost its shine. I needed something to help me see life’s beauty again. I remembered that I’d always loved writing stories. So, I made the decision that year to become a writer. This set me on the ‘pollen path’. Doors opened. Before I knew it, I was enrolled in Bendigo TAFE’s professional writing and editing course.

How would you describe your individual style?

My passion has always been for short fiction. Since the beginning I’ve had an interest in the inner life of humans – more so than in plot-driven action. I started out writing psychological horror and fantasy.

Then, I articulated from the TAFE course into second year of a bachelor of arts at La Trobe Bendigo. I studied philosophy, literature and comparative religion. It was the opportunity of a lifetime.

Now my writing explores spiritual encounters. I’m interested in how we experience these in a world that doesn’t believe in soul and spirit.

Which other writers inspire you?

I love late 19th and early 20th century writers of tales, authors like Edgar Allan Poe, Karen Blixen, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Oscar Wilde.

Their writing is alive with an extra dimension, it’s musical.

What are some particular highlights you have from your creative journey so far?

The greatest highlight of my creative journey has sprung from my decision to self-publish my collection of stories titled Closer than Breathing, Seven Tales and produce the book using only traditional bookmaking techniques. When I set out on this path in 2016, I called it The Harebrained Press Project.

Can you please tell us more about that?

Although my tales had been published individually in Australian, Canadian and American journals, I decided I wanted to publish them myself, as a collection.

My focus was making sure that the book’s form reflected the spirit of its content.

These tales have been variously described by publishers as ‘beautiful’, ‘haunting’ and ‘poem-like’. So, I wanted to create my book in the most beautiful way possible, completely by hand!

Over a seven-year period I learnt each bookmaking technique and, as I did, I crafted the book. I typeset each word of its 136 pages by hand.

I printed using letterpress, our main printing technique here in the West from the 15th century until it was phased out for digital and offset in the 1980s.

I created the book’s endpapers using a magical art form called paper marbling. And I’m binding each of the 120 volumes by hand.

I’ve funded everything myself, so progress has advanced as resources have become available. Nevertheless, providence has helped me to overcome every hurdle I’ve faced.

How can people check out your work?

I’d love for them to visit my website theharebrainedpress.com. If they’d like updates on my projects, they can sign up there to my Studio News online newsletter. I’m also having an exhibition on 10 and 11 March at Dudley House. It’s called Anatomy of a Book.

What advice would you give to young regional aspiring writers?

I’d say give it a go. The creative life can open doors to unexpected, wonderful places. Don’t give up on your vision. Use obstacles to fire up your motivation!