artist statement

My gourd art consists of a little of this, a little of that…a whimsy. The whimsical characteristic of my gourds fascinate and delight me. I am enchanted by the imperfect nature of gourds and the fact that no two are alike. The gourd is a magical canvas: its shape and patterns guide the artist to what it will become, ‘each piece unique’.

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Cultures from all over the world have used gourds in all parts of their lives, from the functional to the spiritual and aesthetic.  Emerging from beautiful seeds, the gourd dries for several months in the sun.

My gourd starts to synthesize what is in me…a daydream during a hike, the energy release after a day at work, a funny cartoon, a good laugh, or a visit to an art museum.

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My real appreciation is for the illusive "Gourd Hunt.” I will hunt for hours to find the perfect gourd. Each piece is unique… a way of going to that other place where the mind escapes, shoulders relax, and the breathing comes easy.

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I may carve the gourd with high-speed drills or by hand; embellish with clay or resin, “paint” the gourd with acrylics, dyes, shoe polish, water color pencils & crayons, wax; even design them with armatures, and housing (internal engineering) all to create my wonderful creature that give me as much happiness as I hope they do you.

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I am grateful for the left brained, intellectually stimulating world in which I spend some of my time as an architectural designer…but grateful for the enlightenment and creativity that allow my right brain to rise.