I have a thing about gourds! I love their shapes, sizes, coloration, flaws, holes, cracks, you name it. I have no idea where this comes from, I just know I read anything and everything that has to do with gourds. I surf Facebook and Pinterest until I’m certain I have more pins than anyone else. When someone is better than me there’s a need to understand why their work stands out more than mine.
In moving from a strong textile background into gourd art one of the differences between them is that there are no annual Panettone colors of the year, no trends of style like hem length, pant leg style, dresses or pants…you get the idea. And best of all there is no catwalk or fashion week! Because of the varieties of gourds, even between the regions they come from, I feel no limits. There really is something magic about planting a seed, watching it bloom into amazing oftentimes large gourds that you can then watch as they dry on the vine even through snow and sleet. At last, you pluck your prize. Ahead is cleaning, sanding, wood burning, painting, staining, sealing and sometimes selling! There are pages and pages of gourd work on Facebook and Pinterest and more and more now on Instagram.
Stick with me and I’ll tell you a little history, perhaps sometimes a joke or two, and share what other artists are doing. I’ll tell you about the gear you may need and little tricks along the way. Share my adventure with me. And please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have. Mahalo!