gourd art

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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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Custom Gourd Lamps

While most of my work can be custom ordered anyways, the Sanders Lamp is a good example of a custom gourd lamp with a family name, word, or whatever your mind can come up with. Most of the time I’ll have the center piece, accompanied by symmetrical designs encompassing the remainder of the piece, sometimes with color and sometimes without. The bases are made from recycled trees, currently I’m using a maple tree that had to be removed from my yard. The lights are typically a candelabra base (think night light) that sits in a hole in the center of the base.

If you’d like to order one, just let me know. They are fully customizable and able to be personalized. Prices depend on size and amount of detail, so prices can are able to match needed budgets. Feel free to look at pictures of previous lamps I’ve created for inspiration.

Thank you 🙂

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Star Spangled

Memorial Day seems like a fitting day to share this piece. I’m so very thankful for all of those who have, and are currently making it possible for us to do the things that we enjoy, and live the lives that we choose to live. Thank you!

This is Star Spangled. Two carved stars, with carved and cutout stripes encompassing the gourd, created with the burning art of pyrography, all under a top of leaves.

This gourd will soon be available at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.

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Star Spangled 2015, photographed by Cheree Federico Photography

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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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Teddy’s Balloon

Introducing Teddy’s Balloon. This piece means a lot to me, and is one of the few pieces that I will never part with. This gourd lamp is named for, and made for, a very special someone. Don’t worry, I’ll talk more about him later. This lamp will hang over a glider in his room.

This hot air balloon inspired gourd lamp is made of two gourds, one for the balloon and basket, the other for the tiny bear riding along. The balloon hangs, with the support of the lighting cord, which includes a standard size light bulb for beautiful night light views.

🙂

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Olive Bushel gourd basket

Here’s a look at the 1st gourd completed in 2015, Olive Bushel.

Featuring four olive branch-inspired handles reaching out from under the
basket to come together peacefully above it all. The four branches also encompass patchwork-inspired patterns created with pyrography and cut-outs.

Enjoy 🙂

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Olive Bushel - 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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Flower Power Lamp 1

I like projects where the customer wants a main topic, a good idea of color, and leaves the rest to my imagination. I was asked to make a girly lamp, with flowers and girly colors. From that grew Flower Power Lamp #1. Enjoy 🙂

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Flower Power Lamp #1 2014

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Flower Power Lamp #1 2014

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Flower Power Lamp #1 2014

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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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