gourds

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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Gourd Pen Holders

My newest item… Gourd Pen Holders! These fun little pieces incorporate my love and fascination with unique rocks, with my love of gourd art. Using hand-picked unique conglomerate creek rocks as bases, and a hand-drawn gourd mini bowl, decorated with pyrography and nail polish (just like my ornaments and bottle stoppers). Each one is promised to be truly unique and original. 

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Ascension (2016)

Ascension (2016) (9″ x 9″)  Hand drawn over Christmas break (2015) and completed in January 2016.  This gourd features various patterns, ascending upwards with contrasting designs and divergent directions, symbolizing the varying paths I’ve taken while growing my skill and ability with gourd art.  Embellished with pyrography, cutting, and carving.

This piece has been in two juried shows, while being awarded an Honorable Mention in the 2016 Artworks Members’ Juried Show (sponsored by the great Cheree Federico Photography).

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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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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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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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Colossus

This is “Colossus”. Created November 2014. Named for the size of the piece and the columns that are integrated into the design, which are reminiscent of Greek or roman architecture. This gourd bowl is topped with a natural leaf inspired lid, because nature is above all my inspiration. With a little deeper meaning to the name as well, this piece is a “thank you” to my wife, who has been a colossal inspiration to my artistic ability, and the one that introduced pyrography into my life.

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Gourdament & Ornament time!

It’s that time of year again. I’ve already began making this year’s ornaments, and taking orders for customized and personalized ones. There will be many different styles and designs, but the most popular will be the penguin, followed by zebra and leopard prints. If you’re interested in ordering, send me a message on Facebook, or email snpcrafts@gmail.com.

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Gourdaments 2014

Enjoy!