16 minute read
Flower Child
D R I E D F L O W E R P E T A L S B E C O M E C O L O R F U L A R T W O R K I N T H E H A N D S O F AN ARTIST WITH A VINTAGE FLOWER PRESS.
WRITTEN BY LESLIE CRISS PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM
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April Ford Beasley has had a penchant for picking petals since she was a little girl in Itawamba County. Just ask her artist mom. “From the time she could walk, she was always drawn to flowers,” Laura Summerford said. “She’d pick tiny wildflower bouquets.”
Beasley doesn’t mind her mom’s reminiscence of her childhood. In fact, she nods in agreement.
“I do like to call myself a flower child,” Beasley said. “I love flowers, always have. My favorites? Sunflowers and daisies.”
The 27-year-old Beasley has, in the past year, parlayed her love of flowers into an artistic preservation project. After a serendipitous discovery of a vintage flower press in an antique shop, Beasley made a purchase, went home and began making silhouettes from dried, pressed flower petals.
Her first silhouette was of the state of Mississippi. Since her initial piece, Beasley has done silhouettes of animals, paw prints, children’s handprints, cardinals, koi fish and much more. Silhouettes of the Ole Miss Colonel Rebel have been very popular. Beasley has done commissioned pieces, and her work is on display in her hometown of Fulton at Farmhouse and also at Farmhouse in Tupelo. Working with dried flower petals has been a learning experience that has involved lots of trial and error.
“Spring and summer are the best times to work,” Beasley said. “It’s just hard to find flowers growing in the winter, though not impossible.”
Beasley grows some flowers herself and makes use of those growing in her mother’s yard, but others she finds on roadsides. She
has decided pansies work the best for her projects.
“We’ll be riding down the road, and April will yell, ‘Stop, stop,’” Summerford said. “And she’ll jump out and pick flowers.”
After finding the flowers, they have to be dried, which takes one to two weeks, depending on the size of the flowers. Beasley said she can press about 10 layers of flowers at a time in her flower press.
Once the flowers are dried and pressed, creating the petal-filled silhouette can be completed in two to three hours. The silhouette is cut and placed on a background, and the dried flowers are affixed inside the silhouette with Mod Podge, a combination glue, sealer and finisher.
“Once it’s framed and signed, it’s really very pretty,” said Beasley’s proud mom.
As her work becomes more popular, Beasley has begun doing keepsake pieces made from special flowers. For example, she made a silhouette of a child’s handprint out of Mother’s Day roses. She hopes to do more custom work using flowers from bridal bouquets. “I absolutely love getting to work with flowers and nature,” Beasley said. “I enjoy both commissioned pieces and freelance. Mostly, I love making others happy with whatever pieces I do.”
Her pressed petal pieces are not Beasley’s first foray in art. She graduated from the University of Mississippi in the spring of 2019 with a degree in imaging art and photography. Her mom hoped her daughter would fall in love with watercolor as Summerford had, but it was not to be.
“She can do it, but it does not make her happy,” Summerford said. “For her it was the camera.” Beasley was the only person in her film class who did not have to be taught composition.
“Composition always was easy to do,” she said. “It came easily to me.”
While taking a black and white film class at UM, Beasley began a film series documenting the South. It’s a project she’s continued, but in Polaroid format.
“I tend to photograph things that it’s not evident if they were taken in 1980 or 2020,” she said. “Such as buildings and vintage signage and typography.”
In addition to creating art for her own enjoyment, Beasley is the art teacher for students in grades 1 through 12 at Fairview Attendance Center and Tremont High School. She is the first art teacher in these schools in more than a decade, and she’s loving the job.
“I believe there’s some kind of creativity in everybody,” Beasley said. “And everyone can learn about art to some degree, if they have the desire. I’m getting some amazing work out of these kids, and it’s exciting to see.”
See more of April Ford Beasley’s pressed flower petal silhouettes on Instagram @applefork.
MIRANDA LAMBERT CONCERT TUPELO
PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS
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Country musician Miranda Lambert kicked off her Wildcard Tour at BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo Jan. 16. The concert was the beginning of a 27-city tour in the United States and Canada in support of her album of the same name.
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1. Tammy Noonan, Christie Noel and Judy Weber 2. Melba Williams with Skylar and Kendyall Carr and Lindsey Chun 3. Vickie Rakestraw with Pam and Mandy Rose Blissard and Angie Stafford 4. Hope Mitchell, Missy Sander and Kristen Loden 5. Courtney Hutcheson, Reed Knight and Bonnie Hutcheson 6. Tracy and Greg Conwill with Rhonda Sinclair 7. Wesley Roberts and Kenzie Pennington
FATHER-DAUGHTER BALL CORINTH
PHOTOGRAPHED BY WHITNEY WORSHAM
The ninth annual Kiwanis Father-Daughter Ball offered the opportunity for dads and daughters to dance the night away Feb. 8. The theme was “Roaring Into the ’20s.”
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1. Kate, John, and Emily Frame 2. Isabella Hornacek, Tulley Epperson and Abby Summers 3. Annslee, Jeff and Pippa Lockler 4. Cecil, Amelia and Graham Sexton 5. Derek and Ella Swindle 6. Seth and Olivia Dodds 7. Marley Dixon and Treven Knight 8. Landon and Rayne Gurley 9. Isaiah and Kadence Warren 10. Sophie and John Little 11. Jayden Thrasher with Brad and Abigail Hancock 12. Katherine Carmichiel and Brylee Price 13. Bo and Chanlin Swindell
FATHER-DAUGHTER continued
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MARDI GRAS TUPELO
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS
Nautical Whimsey, DownUnder, Kermit’s Outlaw Kitchen, Amsterdam Deli and Vanelli’s Bistro partnered to put on a downtown Tupelo Mardi Gras celebration Feb. 22 that included a parade, live music, Cajun food and drink specials.
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1. Heather Bowen, Karen Medlock, Missy Sullivan, Louise Gable and Stacia Hood 2. Taylor and Cory Mask with Kevin and Laura Reid 3. Rob and Anna Grace Hardin with Shane Meeks 4. Gina and David Robertson 5. Kim and Tamika Pannell 6. Deb McHann and Amanda McDivitt 7. Martha Long with Belinda, Holly and Jody Orrick 8. Jessica Budny and Raquel Hardin
WINTER JAM TUPELO
PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS
Christian music’s largest annual tour kicked off its 2020 season Jan. 10 at BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo. Performers included Crowder, Hillsong Young & Free, Passion and more.
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1. Carson Bryan, Alyssa Vandiver, Taylor Burkheart and Logan Beckmon 2. Tina and David Orman with Cory Collins and Aimee Herndon 3. Torrie Robertson, Taylor Hardin and Skylar Sansone 4. Aubrey Eaves, Morgan Gay and MacKenzie Eaves 5. Scott Stoutenburg with Sarah and Tom Cochran 6. Madison Pruitt and Maggie Hardin 7. Taylin Carlstedt, Susanna Bowman and Memory Sheffield 8. Ames Hughes and Hunter Jones 9. John Travis and Haley Wilson
DEBUTANTE COTILLION TUPELO
PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS
The Golden Circle Civic/Social Club hosted its annual Debutante Cotillion Ball Feb. 16 in Tupelo. The debutantes, local high school girls, were presented by their fathers and escorted by male high school students.
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1. Aundra Kohlheim, Tamicka Martin, Trevita Williams, Alva Gasaway, Yvette Crump, Tawana Dearing and Memory Carruthers 2. Ocean Wilson, Preston Walker, Will Chappell, Keelan Davis and Carson Rousseau 3. Marly Moore, Chenelle Holiday and Madison Shells 4. Dalphne Lofton with Cassandra and Bernice Staples 5. Kasey Lewis, Shaniah O’Neal and Aaleria Johnson 6. Johnny and Paulette Agnew 7. Destini Sykes and Maurico Smith 8. Daniel Johnson, Michael O’Neal, Jamison Shells and Eric Lewis 9. Khirei Standifer, Alandris Milo Westmoreland and Layth Holiday 10. Tobisha Coker, Palief Raspberry and Shunte Smith
FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK BALDWYN
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS
Downtown Baldwyn launched its inaugural First Friday Art Walk Feb. 7, using as its hub The Alley Cat Gallery, one of the town’s newer additions. Retailers were open for browsing, and many hosted live, local music during the event.
Read more about Alley Cat on page 14.
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1. Jessami Rodgers, Tammy Lee and Marie Hughes 2. Justin Wiginton, Jonathan McDaniel and David Bell 3. Katelyn and Byron Coker 4. Bob and Vera Gilfoy with Phyllis Robinson 5. Rhonda Grammer and Mary Ann Caldwell 6. Abby Pennington and Kenzie Herring 7. Aprill Bell and Erin Reifers
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY WHITNEY WORSHAM
The quintessential Southern story, “Steel Magnolias,” was staged by Corinth TheatreArts two weekends in February. Large audiences experienced laughter and tears, thanks to the antics of M’Lynn, Shelby, Annelle, Truvy, Ouiser and Clairee.
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1. Angela Avent, Sandy Childs Jones and Christy Burns 2. Tonya Maxedon and Maurryn Arizona 3. Harold and Kathryn Childs 4. Bridget and Scarlet Swindle 5. Jennifer Morgan and Rhonda Mullins 2
STEVE HOLLAND RETIREMENT TUPELO
PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS
Former state Rep. Steve Holland was honored for his 34 years of public service at an End of Session retirement celebration Jan. 28 at the Tupelo Furniture Market. Holland was lauded by several hundred friends, family members and constituents.
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1. Gloria Holland and Cindy Wood 2. Elise Hill, Steve Holland, Jim Johnson and Holly Temple 3. Michelle Robinson and Charlotte Bass 4. Dewonne Warren and Ricky Kimbrell 5. Elizabeth Gable with McKinna and Heather Palmer and Tiwana O’Rear 6. Erin and Will Bristow
GOLDEN HALO FUNDRAISER TUPELO
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS
The Golden Halo fundraiser drew a crowd to the Tupelo Furniture Market Jan. 25. The event had the help and support of Fulton native and World Series Champion Brian Dozier of the Washington Nationals in raising money for Itawamba County’s nonprofit Crossroads Ranch.
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1. Susan Sheffield, Brian Dozier and Renae Bennett 2. Micah Redmond and Brandy McCraw 3. Albine Bennett, Juanita Floyd and Tyler Camp 4. Robin, Alyssa and Allie Martin 5. Alina Morgan with Harlee and Ben Brewer 6. Whitney and Nathan Tucker 7. Blake and Chelsea Thomas
OUT & ABOUT
Ignite Conference
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Old Town Steak House and Eatery Grand Opening “Love or Something Like It,” A Musical Revue
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Ladies Golf Association Womanless Beauty Pageant Sharon McConnell-Dickerson Opening Reception
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1. Carlos Whittaker and Abi Johnston 2. Quincy Knowleton, Drew Tarvin and Terry Baber 3. Maggie Caldwell, T.Z. Waters, Joe Lowder and Karey McAnally 4. Robby and Sonya Witcher 5. Leslie Tidwell, Missy Sullivan and Abbi Hill 6. Phyllis Robinson, Toni Johnson and Marty Hury 7. Clark Richey, Amye Gousset, Leah Hopper and Jim Bishop 8. Beauty pageant contestants 9. Roger Hussey, Allie Stacy, Sharon McDonnell-Dickerson, Donna Hussey and Nell Barber
northeast NEIGHBORS
STEPHEN THOMPSON, TUPELO
An Air Force child, decorator Stephen Thompson was born in Savannah, Georgia, and lived in many places, including Japan, before moving to Mississippi when he was in junior high school. Thompson, 67, has owned Designer Connection in Tupelo for more than three decades. PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM
Q: What initially interested you in designing and decorating? A: I was hired as a stock keeper for the Aberdeen Sherwin-Williams store in 1973. While organizing the stockroom, I unearthed a box of 1960s color brochures. One page showed a room sporting a bright yellow and turquoise theme. The room’s beauty made all the hairs on my body stand on end, and a sense of pure joy washed through my body. I vowed to master the use of color — in all its wonderful shades, tints, saturations and harmonies — so that I could help evoke that same wonderful feeling in others.
Q: Do you work primarily on interiors, or do you design exteriors as well? A: Primarily inside; however, from 1975 to 1984 while I was Tupelo’s Sherwin-Williams decorator, people would photograph their homes and drive from several counties away to have me select their exterior colors. Here are my two best color selection secrets: If you’re driving an expensive car, I’ll likely make your house’s body, trim and shutter colors harmonize with your car color. And, I’ll probably peek in your closets to see the clothes you’ve bought, and then I’ll likely harmonize the drape, flooring and interior paint selections with your clothing selections. Ingenious, right?
Q: What is Designer Connection? A: Designer Connection is the one-man company I formed in 1987. I love connecting
people with beautiful patterns, products, and color schemes — ones they would choose, if they knew they existed — that are absolutely perfect for them.
beautiful, functional items make me feel whenever they are perfectly arranged. Space, line, light, color, texture and pattern are equally important elements.
Q: What do you think is the most important element of design? A: Form. Because I’m a kinesthetic, I love how the energies of well-proportioned,
Q: Why do you love your job? A: My lifework helps people live well and in beauty for decades. That’s a beautiful feeling and a great legacy.
