YOU HAVE SUCH A LARGE INVENTORY, HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHAT BEADS TO WORK WITH?
Although I joke about being the "keeper of the beads" I make no mistake as to the importance I have in this role. It is a fact that it is not I, Gail, that make my Creations. It is an incredible spiritually orchestrated design that emerges by grace "through me" it most certainly does not come "from me".
My goal is to show the beads in a unique and artistic way to glorify their fullest beauty. By blending spectacular beads that have been created by so many masterful hands and techniques from around the world with my own contemporary designs, and the dedicated assistance from my Design Team, I feel that we truly create collaborated art pieces of unparalleled talent and beauty.
I am inspired from the beads themselves and to watch each stage of the creating process is exciting. Each costume takes months to complete. We on the design team often talk about the dresses individual personalities that evolve as they come into complete manifestation; they become a Live energy to us.
With her life-size fashions, Gail Be is forging her way into an entirely new art genre. The uniqueness of Be's couture fashions is that they are made completely of beads, sequins, ribbons and feathers. Little or no fabric is ever used, she beads onto beads, not onto fabric.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Be does not draw or pre-sketch, solder or use mathematical calculations in any of her designs. She admits that she does not even know how to turn on a sewing machine and has received no formal training in dress design.
Be got her start when a friend gifted her with four beading classes. Her passion was so great that she beaded daily for hours. Through this self-teaching, in a year she won a state beading contest and was designing her own jewelry line.
In 1989, Be was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease, which eventually left her legally blind and unable to bead even the most simple patterns. Heartbroken, Be turned her focus to intense bead collecting.
The year 1996, Be received her first corneal transplant and then a year later she received her second. During this time she went through 35 corrective lenses and 15 pairs of glasses. Frustrated, but determined to regain her sight, Be underwent LASIK surgery through a Canadian doctor.
BIOGRAPHY
Miraculously, her eyesight was restored to 20/20. Be believes that during this challenging time she was "spiritually blessed" because when she began beading again, the complexity of her accessory designs became much more intricate and complicated. In 2003, Be created her first life-size design, which took her to new heights in the worlds of fashion and art design.
Although her eye disease is permanent, so is Be's enthusiasm, gratitude and determination. She reminds us all, "Please be an organ donor because you never know what Picasso you might help right around the corner."
"Beading is learned by practice."
PHILOSOPHY AND PROCESS
Gail Be by tpt MN Original
Gail Be Designs by Metro Cable Network Channel 6
THE TWO MOST FAQ'S
SINCE NO ONE ELSE IS CREATING WHAT YOU ARE WITH BEADS—WHERE DO YOUR UNIQUE AND VERY BIG IDEAS ORIGINATE FROM?
I actually "See" or am "Shown" a necklace or dress before making it. Since I am working in a new art genre—Creating complete beaded costumes (using no cloth material) my most obvious method is trial and error.
I explain "My Vision" to my design team and we work like detectives putting ideas together, seeing what works, often inventing new techniques in order to bring my designs into existence. They are the ping to my pong.
I want to make it clear that I do not draw; I lack any ability in this area both freehand and on a computer. Nor do I (or could I) calculate mathematically or geometrically what my designs are before I make them. I haven’t touched a sewing machine since I failed 7th grade home economics.
Like many great artists, I have had no real formal training or lessons in beading or design "to fall back on." My lack of educated ability and vocational training allows, and reminds me to remain humble. I fully acknowledge that my "real talent" is that I allow my Higher/Soul/God Self to flow through me. As long as I design with courage, even when I don’t have any idea as to how to make something—I know—that from start to finish I will be given the insight to complete it. From a simple bracelet to a masterpiece, I appreciate the beauty as much as everyone else because it is obviously manifested beyond my human ability.