MesquiteGourds

The Annual Tempe Spring Arts Festival here in Arizona just passed, and I've crafted many new artpieces for that and other Spring shows. Check our my newest nature-influenced pieces, and let me know if there is anything you would like custom-crafted. Gourd art makes a wonderful gift for any occasion, it's a sustainable craft, and it supports a family gourd farm in Arizona as well!

The versatility of gourds makes them one of my favorite natural materials. They can be painted, dyed, carved and woodburned, and I love trying new techniques so each one of my pieces is unique! I grow many of my own gourds and strive to use locally obtained natural materials that reflect respect for the environment while adding to the artistry of the completed work. Gourds and squash are one of the "Three Sisters" grown by native American tribes (along with corn and beans) in the Southwest. They are still an important component of the culture as a food and for utilitarian and art purposes.