Jacqui Beckett was a teacher for 32 years. When she retired, her art became her full-time job, and she displays it at the Artist Colony of Moose Mountain Provincial Park. She was born and raised near Moosomin and then moved to Saskatoon to get her education degree. Beckett and her husband Gary moved back to the Moosomin area to farm cattle and bison, and to raise their three daughters, Aimee, Kari and Breanne. They continued to farm while Beckett continued with her teaching career. After teaching, the time came for her to retire. She loved her teaching job, so the last two years, she taught every other day to ease her way into retirement. Beckett always loved art and her first inspiration for art came from her Grade 3 teacher Marion Donald. Once retired, Beckett began to attend workshops and art classes, mostly from local artists. While Beckett continues to take classes, she teaches others the beauty of art. Beckett’s art is designed in silk painting, acrylic, Indian ink resist, watercolour batik and pottery. She works from photo references and draws out her design on paper or canvas. Belonging to the Hamiota Art Club of Manitoba, Beckett meets weekly with other artists at a beautiful historical building to work on art and share ideas with others. Beckett also creates chalk pastel art. She will draw on fine grit black automotive sandpaper. She chooses four values of colour from light to dark. Working only with these colours, the entire painting is done. Once dry, other colours may be added on top. But right now her passion is pottery. This began three years ago, and she absolutely became hooked. Beckett belongs to the Estevan Pottery Club. She displays these pieces at the colony along with her paintings. Her talent has been passed down to her daughters. They also enjoy painting, drawing and mosaic art. Beckett’s grandchildren also have the artist bug. Being one of the Kenosee Lake Retreat committee members, she plans to be there daily, and hopes to return to the Artist Colony next year.
