kyarts

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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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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Kentucky Grapplers Gourd

There were several gourd pieces that were custom ordered for Christmas this year. This is the Christmas orders reveal #1: Kentucky Grapplers Gourd.

This piece was ordered by the father of the owner of Kentucky Grapplers, a martial arts education establishment in Bowling Green Kentucky.

Featuring the Kentucky Grapplers logo, with carving, burning, and variety of carved holes, allowing for a wonderful decorative gourd and potpourri holder.

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Kentucky Grapplers Gourd 2015

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Kentucky Grapplers Gourd 2015 (back)

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Thank you 🙂

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Giving Thanks 2015

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Most of my artwork takes meaning during and after creation, and this one grew into something that is being celebrated today. Giving Thanks. Traditional colors of red, orange, and yellow accompany patterns resembling feathers and encompassing pyrography, bringing all together and celebrating as one.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the continued support of the work that I do. I thoroughly enjoy creating gourd art, both big and small. Your purchases, kind words, and just checking out my work from time to time, are all very appreciated, and I am very thankful!

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Thank you!

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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