About the Artist

Babette Beatty, Zhoo Zhoo label artist is the original Zhoo Zhoo girl. Born in Berlin in 1941 she spent her young life in Rio de Janeiro before traveling the world as a top fashion model in the 1960s. Leading artists and photographers of the time encouraged Babette to pursue her own artistic talent—she’s never looked back!

Zhoo Zhoo girls Bijou and Hadley recently sat down with Babette to talk about her work and life inspirations.

When did you really decide you wanted to paint?
“I’ve always painted and always worked with oils.”

Do you remember your first major artwork/painting piece?
“…I love all my paintings and it’s very hard to part with them, every square inch of “the church” is filled and I never sketch before I paint. I have a hard time giving up my paintings, but I had to eat: steak and lobster!”

What do your women paintings say about WOMEN?
“I am here to stay. Meaning that women have sex appeal, are smart, strong and we know how to get places even though we’re still suppressed.”

Do you prefer blonde, brunette or red heads for your girls?
“Blonde forever, brunette second and never trust a redhead…wait, isn’t Delphine a red head?!”

What is the next ZZ girls’ name?
Poppy, Kitty, Betty, or Rosebud; I like old fashioned names. And not necessarily names, but titles for the girls like “kick ass!”

When you’re not painting, what other hobbies do you enjoy?
“The outdoors, and I love my dogs! And, of course my kitty Ollie!”

Babette is a talented cook so we asked: what is your favorite thing to cook?
“Anything I really want to eat at the time, I eat what I’m craving, and treat myself well.”

Babette's website: www.babettegallery.com