BS Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Self-taught artist

Martha Beadle’s mid-life crisis resulted not in a change of heart, but (excuse the pun) a change of art. Beadle decided to utilize her well-honed skills of needlepoint and crewel and meld them with her love of poetry and art. The result—wildly colorful, intricate creations anchored with a quotation or a line of poetry.

Martha’s work is considered folk art, in that it stems from the heart of the area in which she has lived all of her life. She puts heart and soul into each work. Her multi-media fiber pieces use recycled fabric, antique buttons, beads, seashells, washers, etc. These pieces deal with family, which includes her husband and three children. Many of the pieces express feelings relating to events within the family such as a child’s favorite song or just swinging in the yard with the family dog standing nearby.

Martha Beadle is an award winning artist exhibiting in shows throughout the Southeast.

I am considered uniquely visionary and inspirational in my approach to revealing my love of poetry, song, and the humor in our spoken language through my art. Born in Alabama in 1952 to a stay at home mother and a dad recently back from service in World War II, I recall a cheerful childhood, with teachers that emphasized poetry and reading. My creativity was triggered when my oldest son, who was born with Down Syndrome, went through an aggressive period and had to be hospitalized for a period. My artistic creations are intensely personal and heartfelt, bringing me much joy and happiness. I have been stitching my needle eccentricities for ten years.