bowling green art

Creativity After Christmas
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Creativity After Christmas

While working on my next big piece, I’ve been contemplating the art I’ve made during January in the past few years. Not only did I find that the pieces were some of my best, but three of the past four have won an award of some sort! 

2014 – Date Night (formerly Colored Pear Illuminated) – 1st gourd lamp, won 3rd place in sculpture at 2014 Celebration of the Arts

2015 – Teddy’s Balloon – made for my little man – 1st place in Gourd Magazine Spring 2017 Craft contest (resulting in featured artist for Summer issue)

2016 – Ascension – Honorable Mention at 2016 Artworks Members Only show

2017 – Dream – My largest piece to date – sold during my first setup at the Kentucky Crafted Market

Stay tuned for this year’s creation 😁

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Hive (2016) – Gourd Lamp

Introducing “Hive.”

This gourd lamp, created in January 2016, sits 18 inches high (including stem) and is 7.5 inches at its widest point. The name comes from the center design, a series of hexagons drawn out while experimenting with various shapes. The name continues to fit once you notice the different patterns working together to create on work of art, with its inner light shining through.

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Hive (2016) - unlit front

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Hive (2016) - unlit back

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Hive (2016) - lit front

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Hive (2016) - lit back

Simeck’s Lighthouse

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Simeck's Lighthouse - 2015

Simeck’s Lighthouse was a custom ordered gourd for Christmas 2015. This is the second gourd from SnP Crafts that the recipients now have (and a big thank you to their daughter for ordering them). This piece focused on a popular landmark in their hometown of St. Joseph, Michigan. In St. Joseph there are two lighthouses, the main one that is represented on the front of the gourd, and a smaller one nearest to the water that is actually represented on the back of the gourd (and for some reason, I did not take a photo of it).

It’s a great feeling to be asked to create something like this, and like all of the others that were created to be a special Christmas present. I’m also thankful that the new owners are happy with their new creations from SnP Crafts.

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Gourdaments 2015

It’s beginning to be that time of the year! Well, at least for artist and crafts people. I’ve begun creating my little gourdaments (gourd ornaments) and thought I’d give you a peek. Each gourdament is hand drawn on a personally grown egg gourd, decorate with pyrography (wood burning) and a little color added with nail polish (yep, nail polish). After each is completed, I dip them twice in UV-Resistant wood finish to ensure a great, long lasting protection. Each is about the size of a store-bought large chicken egg, but they do vary somewhat.

The designs are all unique, with various symmetrical patterns working together to create a one of a kind treasure for the holidays.

Gourdaments can be custom ordered and personalized. If you like a certain style that you see me post, I can either recreate with your desired colors and personalization, or create a unique version similar to that. Just let me know.

I hope you enjoy 🙂

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Gourdaments 2015

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Gourdaments 2015

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Gourdaments 2015

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Gourdaments 2015

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Gourdaments 2015

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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

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Floral from Fire

Introducing Floral from Fire, my first hangable gourd art piece. This flowery creation was born from a need to create a piece that could hang, rather than sit like most of my other items, for Artworks “Dually Exposed show” at the Presbyterian Church in Bowling Green, KY. I was partnered with a great photographer, Howard Margolis. Our showcase featured Mr. Margolis’ floral photo, and my pyrography gourd interpretation.

I hope you enjoy 🙂

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