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| Having Fun, Connie Beazle |
Connie was an award-winning artist as well as co-owner,
resident artist and teacher at "A Garden's Way Gallery"
at "Sunflowers Studio" on Burton Village Square. She was a member of the Geauga
County Arts Council and the Burton Congregational Church where she was the co-founder
of the Arts Ministry. She was also an avid gardener, which provided a major visual influence in her work.
"Life, as an artist, is a visual bombardment full
of possiblities. Everyday brings new images, most of which are potential paintings. My work is born of a need to create. When
I paint nothing else exists, only a blank space that must be filled. After many years of focus on watercolors, silk painting
unleashed a freedom to express my energy and feelings in a more imaginative and vibrant way."
After a 20 year battle
with cancer, Connie Beazle passed away December 6th, 2004. She has inspired and encouraged
many artist and non-artist alike.
Connie's work
can be seen here.
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| Pool Room, Connie Beazle |
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Silk painting is a process that takes many steps.
The silk must be washed to remove any sizing, then ironed and stretched on a frame so that it is taught. Resist is then used
to draw on the silk to keep the dyes from running together. When the resist is dry it is time to paint on the silk with liquid
dye.
After painting when the piece is completely
dry it is removed from the stretching frame and wrapped so that it can be steamed to set the dyes. After steaming it is necessary
to wash the silk with a special silk wash that suspends the washed out dye particles so they do not wash back into the piece.
The silk is then ironed again and either enjoyed as a scarf, framed or left as a free hanging piece. It is very rewarding
to see the finished product!
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| Sun Soaked House, Connie Beazle |
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| Connie goofing off with her niece, Deb, at A Garden's Way |
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