Louise McGowan Bezark

In an instant, she finds inspiration out a window, in an image, in a glimpse or a riot of color. She finds her interest swinging from soft to intense, from the lightest pastel to the inkiest black. She is a fanatical collector of volumes of inspiring images, visceral divine sparks of creativity. From the first touch of the red hot tip, the earthy vessel in her hands begins to transmute.

She paints with fire.


Her sculptures, from one inch to 20 or more, do not fit any mold of the traditional gourd styles many are most familiar with. Her collections are often confused with clay or glass. The  use of Pyro-engraving, carving, inlay, and gold leaf informs color selection and embellishment.  Customarily minimal, Louise’s sculptures offer a wide angle invitation to what may spark cherished memories in the viewer. Collector comments from around the globe range from “deep and peace-filled” “precious” “inspiring” and celebratory.”

Her artful story started in a gallery with the first glimpse and fascination with the shape and design of the unknown medium. It was another year and a second introduction to understand that the collection she saw the years before were made of gourds. A colleague was familiar with them and handed her the first bag of gourds to create with. It was the start of a very long term and fruitful relationship with Lagenaria Siceraria.

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