by Franco Tarsitano
Melody Bigalke admits she’s a scrapper and a survivor. This feisty, crafty lady is a multi-disciplined artist that brings something unique to whatever medium she works. Ceramics, print-making, jewelry but her most distinctive art are her gourds.
Melody was a young transplant from Racine to Kenosha. A graduate of Bradford, and art from UWM, she has spent 24 years at HR Block where she enjoys working with people and says that every tax return is different and enjoys that challenge. Melody, along with her two very talented and artistic daughters Lisa and Becky, contribute greatly to the Kenosha art scene and community. Together they organized a Christmas show this past year at the Southport Beach House.
1. How did this gourd thing start?
I took a class from Chris Becker at
Lemon Street Gallery. It was a birdhouse class, and I remember it was red and black decorative gourd.
2. Where do you find them? Are they considered pumpkins?
Gourds are members of the cucumber family, and you can’t find many around here. There are about a dozen different types. Sometimes I would buy them from a friend in Bristol who would grow them for me. I do have to buy them. Occasionally, I’d buy them on the internet but they were pricey.
The American Gourd Society has shows; the largest in Indiana, Ohio, California and North Carolina, all these carry supplies and have representatives there selling gourds, seeds, embellishment. It’s easier to buy these shows since you can see them.
3. How do you carve them and design them?
I have a gourd saw…like a mini-jig saw…it plugs in to a multi-speed transformer. There are so many things that can be used to decorate them: sprays, Danish cord wrapped in hand dyed silk ribbon, Mizuhiki a Japanese rolled paper, beads and leather dyes frequently.
4. What’s the largest that you made?
2 1/2 feet to 3 ft high and 2ft in diameter….
5. Do people think you’re out of your gourd?
Sometimes….Iol, I know I am (Melody was working on her show practically up to the time it was going to open).
6. Tell me about your other artwork (i.e., ceramics, jewelry, pmc, prints)?
I took print making class form Lisa and Connie Wolfe. I started ceramics about 35 years ago at the old museum until Eric Johnson retired form Unified and now and adjunct at Carthage and he teaches at Lemon Street. PMC, silver that is bound in a polymer base and when fired leaves you with sterling silver, from classes Diane Leischow.
7. Since you’ve been in Kenosha, how do you think the art community has changed and what suggestions might you have on improving it?
I’d like to see more galleries, more well-rounded so we could possibly have our own first Fridays like downtown Racine.
Melody Bigalke you have been “exposed”
3 comments ↓
Thanks, Franco.
And nice interview with a nice Lady.
How did Lisa and Becky get to be ornery?
I love Melody’s gourds! Thanks for teaching me something new today Franco! I had no idea that gourds where from the cucumber family…
Melody’s show at Lemon Street is fantastic! This is a rare opportunity to see such a diverse range of gourd decorating methods. There’s vessels, wall sculpture, even candle holders. The show will be open until April 13th.
Leave a Comment