About Necla Balasaygun

Necla Balasaygun was born in Istanbul, Turkey. She received training at a technical art high school and, after graduation, worked in the fashion industry in Istanbul. In 1987 Necla and her family moved to the United States and settled in New Jersey. Necla completed art courses in drawing and watercolor at a local community college in the mid-1990s. Most of her work from the mid to late 1990s is in watercolor.

In 2003, Necla and her husband retired in Savannah, Georgia, and it was then that she took an interest in oil painting. While living in Georgia, she studied with the artist Zola Delburn and joined the Landings Art Association of Savannah, where one of her paintings won second place in an exhibit. She spent the majority of her time painting in her studio, improving her technique.

Now a resident of Connecticut, Necla works part-time at Waterbury Hospital's gift shop, volunteers her time at the Barnes Museum in Southington, and is a full-time artist painting in her studio in Southington.
 
Artist Statement
I work in oil and mixed-media.  A unique feature of my mixed-media works is the use of cantaloupe and pumpkin seeds to add dimension to the canvas. To my knowledge, no other artist utilizes this technique in this way. I draw inspiration from nature and my travels throughout the United States and Turkey.

Recent Awards and Exhibitions
2019 Rembish and LaSaracina Award, Southington Arts and Crafts Association Juried Show

2018 Dick Blick Award for Oil Painting, Southington Arts and Crafts Association, Annual Art show, judged by Zufar Bibkov

2016 Artist of the Month at the Southington Library

2015 Rembish and LaSaracina Award, Southington Arts and Crafts Association Juried Show

In 2014, Necla exhibited fifteen of her works at Waterbury Hospital. She has had solo exhibits at the Orchards in Southington and the Southington Community Cultural Arts Center (SoCCA) and has exhibited at other venues throughout Connecticut.

Professional Associations
Associate Member, Essex Art Association
Member of Southington Arts and Crafts Association (SACA)
Member of  Southington Community Cultural Arts (SoCCA)