“I experimented with other materials, but when I tried silk I fell in love with it. It does what I want it to and it’s a medium you don’t get tired of,” said Rasmussen. Rasmussen, whose business is called Sally’s Studio, creates silk paintings using dyes in strong, rich colors to create vibrant, colorful works of art. She uses her silk painting technique to create masterpieces on silk scarves, ponchos, banners, pillows, window decorations and bed coverlets to name a few. Rasmussen has always been an artist. Her career includes 33 years as an art teacher, where she taught from the kindergarten level to the college level. She taught in Colorado, New York and Fort Dodge, where she retired in 2004. She was named “State Art Teacher of the Year” in 2003.
At the age of 50, she returned to college at Iowa State University to obtain her Masters in Art Education. It was during her Masters program that she discovered silk painting. She has been fine tuning her skill and her business ever since. Rasmussen and her husband, Alan, recently moved to Clear Lake. They designed their home around Sally’s business. The home includes a large, sunny studio and an extra kitchen for boiling and rinsing silk pieces. “Alan is my second in command. I couldn’t do it without him. He can build anything and helps with making custom frames for my silk pieces, and also storage units and work tables,” said Rasmussen. Rasmussen sells her wares in a variety of ways. She travels to juried art shows throughout the Midwest; this year she has been in 15 shows. Her products are available at her website www.silksstudios.com [1]. She also teaches art classes, both on her own and through the Clear Lake Arts Center. “The Arts Center is a wonderful place,” said Rasmussen. “I was so fortunate to move to Clear Lake and have the Arts Center opening a new building.”
Rasmussen’s silk banners are on display at the Arts Center, where she is also a member of the Education Committee. One unique aspect of Rasmussen’s business is a speciality line that she calls, “Sassy Sally Silks.” From a photo of a group of friends or even a special pet, Rasmussen creates a personalized character painting on a scarf, pillow or a wall hanging. Rasmussen said that she enjoys many aspects of her business, such as traveling and meeting new people, but her favorite part is just being creative. “I love to look at a blank canvas and imagine what it will be. There just isn’t enough time to do everything I want to do,” she says.

Rasmussen is planning a special studio tour to give the public a glimpse of what she does. The studio tour will be held on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at her home studio located at 1109 South 10th Place. She will demonstrate the various steps of silk painting and she will have various items for sale. Homemade refreshments will also be available.