Gourd Designs
by Melissa
Bowl Designs
This category is a design which can be used as a receptacle to hold contents.
"Hacienda"
A classmate (in my class entitled "The 37 Postures Wu Style Taijiquan" ) inspired this southwestern design. Our class has about 10 - 12 students, all focusing on a healthier happier life. And the class is working! For more information, contact the Adult Wellness Center of Rogers, Arkansas.
"Water Garden"
As a child, my coloring skills were poor. Staying in the lines was a struggle which left me embarrassed at the outcome. It astounds me that at retirement age I am painting and pleased with the results. (I wonder how adept I could be if I took lessons?) The truth is I am taking lessons in a way -- in my dreams. Sometimes when I wake I have faint memories of beautiful colors, or mental images of designs. After writing the dream on paper (maybe just a few words to help me recall the experience), I think about it off and on throughout the day. Usually within a day or so, the beginning of a design becomes vivid in my imagination. The "Water Garden" began in my thoughts as a Goldfish. The rest of the design followed after the Goldfish was on the bowl. There are 5 Lotus Flowers and 2 smaller Goldfish in the design.
The symmetrical shape of this bowl was perfect for this design. Acrylic paints brought this gourd to life with the help of shimmery pigment powders.
"Blooming Hibiscus"
"Gliding Upward" "As Nature Made It"
The Butterfly is my first attempt attempt using hand-held carving tools.
The Nature gourd cracked in shipment but I felt it was worthy of being designed. Here is the outcome. I can see a bird with a large bill or even an aardvark. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
"Contemplation Seed"
During a visit to a Wisdom Temple, I walked the Contemplation Trail. As I looked upward snow flakes driven by a gentle wind fell on my face. Enjoying the solitude I walked on. A soft voice said, "Hi Melissa, I am right here. Just look down."
As I looked down I chuckled and said, "How can a Seedpod talk?" The seedpod said, "I am no longer a Seedpod because I have lost my seed. Now, I am just an empty pod. I will whither and decay unless you have a use for me?"
After pausing to make sure no one was listening, I stooped down and whispered to the seedpod, "to me, you are not empty at all. You have fulfilled your destiny to spread your seed and you are free for a new purpose. You have opened my heart and inspired me. Come home with me and I will give you a new purpose." The Seedpod lives in my Art Studio and continues to inspire me.
"Spiritually Connected" "Light & Sound"
"Four Seasons"
"Pillow Talk" "Resting"
(Cat Singing HU)
Since singing HU is a part of my everyday life and I find it so uplifting, I enjoy sharing the HU with others. For more information, www.eckankar.org. It is so simple and the card has suggestions for getting the most out of singing this precious Love Song to God. I personally know people from many different religious backgrounds who sing or chant this wonderful word.
"Bass Hunting" "Crappie Hanging Out"
This bass fish is about to feed on a plump worm in the grass. I wonder if the worm will reincarnate to a fish?
"The Guardians"
I photographed a small snake in different positions as it slowly slithered across the road. After finding out the snake was more afraid of me than I was of it, I got closer to see its beautiful coloring. All of God's creatures are beautiful in their own right. This is the thickest gourd I have worked with. These snakes must be guarding some great treasure! Copper strips and 4 glass beads (2 green and 2 blue) embellish this already beautiful bowl.
"Obscure Heart" "Flowing Sound"
Carving and ink dye are the elements of this simple bowl. This is one of my favorite gourd designs.
Piano keys and musical notes transformed this gourd into a happy bowl.
