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Created on Thursday, 23 December 2010 11:13

Published on Thursday, 23 December 2010 11:13

Written by Stephanie Vavra

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"The highest condition of art is artlessness," stated  Henry David Thoreau.  As one looks into the small beaded bowl created by Marianne Biagi, the colors and sinewy placement of countless glass and metal beads causes the eye to wiggle around the ruffled, variegated edging and down into the center.  There, contrasting texture, color, and size of the beads are a visual reward.  This vibrant piece is compelling in its free-flowing, constantly-changing design, which makes it difficult to not touch!  These are major elements of Biagi's work.

"I love the texture and to be able to touch things," she stated.  "I want people to touch and play with [her creations.]"

She works from "spontaneity" without sketches or a plan.  If a design is not pleasing, she will disassemble it and begin anew--several times, until the piece is complete.  Her creative process is serendipitous.  "In art it's not thinking that does the job, but making."  Goethe

This may indicate why her works have succeeded when exhibited and judged across the world.  Biagi has exhibited in numerous shows, galleries, studios, and a worldwide tour.  Awards include:

• Judge's Choice, Chicago Area Bead Society, 1997
• Best of Show, Victoria (Australia) Bead Society, 1998
• Second Place, Caravan Beads Show, 2004
• Chosen Artist, The Illinois Artisan Program.

Her biography states, "Marianne Biagi is an accomplished bead artist.  Her award winning artwork has been exhibited nationally and internationally and has been featured in books and magazines.  She has taught beadwork and bead embroidery throughout the United States."

She is selective about showing her work and prefers nationally-recognized venues.  Her goal?  "To sell to a museum or gallery; some museums specialize in textiles."  Publications or websites do a call for artists and list shows at which she can exhibit.  Biagi mails her items, even as far as Australia, where her pierced, beaded heart, titled "Love Sucks a Big One," won Best of Show.

The heart, at left, reflects a time of emotional upheaval in the Biagis' marriage.  "Art...is emotion cultivating good form."  Herbert Read

Several miniature beaded treasures are displayed on a shelf along the wall opposite her stored beads.  Each piece takes a month to complete.  The artist used beautiful fabric, some from casket lining material, as backgrounds for the bead designs.  "I surround myself with" beauty, she said.

"The jewelry pieces are made to demonstrate teaching; I am not a jewelry artist."  Nor does Biagi wear her jewelry designs.  "I want to be known as a fine artist, not a jewelry maker."

Marianne and Bill Biagi are Chicago natives who moved to Morrison, IL, in 2001.  "Sewing was always my thing," she said.  The Biagis produced  consumer training programs for Bernina sewing machines.  "I researched, wrote scripts, shot, and edited; it was like a dream job."  She did all Bernina's sewing programs and then was asked to produce a video for new embroidery machines.  The difficulty was, there was no embroidery machine available for the photo-shoot.  However, the Biagi's five-minute video sold 2500 machines in time for the Christmas market!

"I saw a show in the early 90's.  I was fascinated by the shapes, colors, and beadwork.  I investigated, took a class on the peyote stitch, [illustrated at left] and that hooked me.  I am always playing with new techniques.  I am experimenting with the St. Petersburg Chain [center], peyote amulet bags, bracelets, and lariat necklaces, and keshi pearls [right.]  I can't wait to find out what's next!"

Biagi works from her remodeled studio which overlooks a ravine on the couple's property.  The woods offer a natural resource:  bird feathers.  "I'm just starting to use feathers; they're expensive to purchase,"  she explained.  She plucked black and white feathers, up to three inches in length, from a dead woodpecker.  She has "a Bluejay in the freezer" for future artistic use.

At her desk she had used a lead "muffin" weight as a 3-dimensional pattern.  The resulting piece was structured from tiny, bronze, seed beads.  She stuffed it to give support; then Biagi began randomly stitching gold pearls atop it, like frosting on a cupcake.  Her art pieces are created using a very strong thread, "Fire Line," which is a carbon by-product.

A full-spectrum OTT-LITE allows her to select beads of the right color from her extensive collection.  Beads are stored along one wall in small, plastic containers and placed inside storage drawers.  Biagi can easily find beads with the color scheme she desires.  However, she has more than she will use.

"I wish I could sell some beads," she admitted.

She has a collection of trade beads to look at for inspiration.  Biagi knows how to create glass beads, too, but is unsure if she will attempt it.  "It is too disappointing."

Contact this fine artist for information about bead instruction or to purchase some of Marianne Biagi's beautiful beads:  815-956-0222 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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