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Gourd Adventure

Almost everywhere I go talk about my gourd art, or set up displays, I’m asked if I grow my own gourds. My answer is simple…”I try!”.

I’ve reached a point in my art life in which I’m putting in too many hours on creating a piece, for it to fall apart or break due to the gourd itself being too thin. I’ve chosen to support some of the amazing gourd farmers that are out there, like the Dalton’s at Pumpkin Hollow in Arkansas, and Wuertz Farm in Arizona.

But I still give it a shot, mainly to say I did. This year’s attempt is at some mini pear gourds, that have become the main ones used for ornaments and stoppers. I’m trying a teepee style trellis, with sticks from my yard, wrapped in nylon cord.

Not expecting a lot, but wish me luck on this year’s Gourd Adventure 😊

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Botanical Musings Art Show

Ok, this post is long overdue, but I’ve been a tad busy lately.

There’s a fantastic art show currently showing at Kaviar Forge & Gallery in Louisville, Kentucky, until July 11, 2015. I just happen to be one of fifty artists in this show, with one of my favorite pyrography gourds, Fall Entangled. This is a bit significant for my work, since this is the first time my work has been on display outside of Bowling Green, Kentucky.

As for the gourd itself, it is one of my top five favorite pieces I’ve ever created. I made it as one of five pieces submitted in my successful quest to become a Kentucky Crafted artist. It features my favorite leafy top style, with symmetrical patterns encircling the bottom. This happens to be a special gourd. It is one of five (I believe) gourds that I refer to as “The Accidentals.” In 2013, I grew gourds at my mother’s house in the country (with lots of help from her). When planting the seeds, we had many left over, and my wife threw many over into a nearby goat field. The magical part was that some seeds grew on an unused fence, resulting in five very beautiful gourds, accidently grown (somehow untouched by the goats).

If you find yourself in or around Louisville before July 11th, make sure you make plans to visit Kaviar Forge & Gallery, 1718 Frankfort Ave. Open 12-6 Monday – Friday, 12-4 Saturdays.

🙂

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Lamp Stand

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Some really cool things come out of necessity. I made the newest lamp for a special someone, but also wanted to enter it into the 2015 Celebration of the Arts show at the Kentucky Museum. While the lamp is a hanging lamp, I wanted a nice way to display, resulting in the lamp stand.

There are may firsts for me here, including concrete work, tile work (with broken glass), and grouting. The lamp stand is made from a full sized shepards hook, with a custom built and designed base. I poured concrete around the base of the hook, then applied broken glass using tile adhesive, and finally capped it off with grout work. The result is a 7 foot, 60 pound base, created to hold a 1 pound gourd lamp.

Check out the 2015 Celebration of the Arts show at the Kentucky Museum, on WKU’s campus in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to see Teddy’s Balloon, as well as many other great artworks from the Bowling Green area. Opening reception is Friday, March 6th at 7:30pm. Show runs until April 4, 2015.

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New Year, New Projects

2014 was another awesome year of learning, growth, and achievement. My main goal was becoming a Kentucky Crafted artist, which I’m honored to have achieved.

With the new year comes a time of new projects and some experimenting. So far I’ve started about 4 projects, and hopefully I’ll finish them eventually. Be on the lookout for a checkerboard, a wizard, and a cool lamp.

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"Merlin" in collaboration with Nick Mantlo-Coots

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2015

August 90th

Help me wish a very Happy 90th Birthday to my awesome Grandmother! She’s a great strong woman.  As a special birthday present, she’s getting my most recent gourd piece.

This one is called August 90th. As we enter the great autumn months, leaves will begin falling all around, mixing with the patterns of the world, just like in this piece.

Happy Birthday Grandmother!

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