Group Projects and Other Designs

Note: See "Birdhouses" for the group project on July 7 at the Rogers Public Library.



 
                                                          Bentonville Public Library Gourd Workshop
                                                                                       July 22, 2009


For me, the best was saved for last! As my series of Workshops for Youth comes to an end for the summer, I would like to share pictures of creativity and imagination! 

Sixteen gourd masks -- decorated with stains, paints, jute, beads, and paper-- left the Bentonville Public Library to be displayed in homes where they will magically open hearts and put smiles on faces. Even Photographer Marc Henning was smiling as he posed for the picture at my request.  

 
           


                                                                  


Marc F. Henning, Photographer (pictured above) can be reached through his website: www.mfhphotography.com or call (479) 957-3466.  He is accomplished in the many areas -- editorial, weddings, corporate, commercial, portraits and sports.



                                                               Rogers Public Library Gourd Class
                                                                       July 11, 2009
These gourd designs were unique, beautiful and lots of fun for the "tweens" at the Rogers Public Library. 
 
                                           

Using acrylic paints, a few coconut buttons and lots of creativity, the class  exercised their imagination and the outcome was delightful.




                                                        Battlefield 4-H Club Project
                                                                        April 2009
                                                                             
There is so much more to everything!  It is all a matter of choice or free will.

My journey into the world of Gourd Designing has taken its own direction. For me, designing is all about gratitude and love. The pictures below speak a thousand words.

On the morning of this project, I spent hours cutting these gourds which would become "gifts of love" to the residents of a local retirement community. With the cutting of each gourd, my anticipation grew, knowing that each bowl would be filled with the designer's love. And what a picture!

How grateful I am to have witnessed love transforming an ordinary gourd shell into these lovely bowls. The 4-H members certainly have golden hearts to give of themselves in this way.

   
           

                                                                     "Happy Bowls" designed by Battlefield 4-H Club

How much "Love" can a picture hold?

It was a cold, damp day but the acrylic paints glided easily as we merrily decorated the gourd bowls inside the garage.  These Happy Bowls were designed by the local 4-H Club members as donations to residents of Green Acres Easy Living, a wonderful Retirement Home in Rogers, AR.  Each bowl has the recipient's name and is signed by the artist. 

Being an adult volunteer for this 4-H Club is a wonderful experience. If you are someone you know is interested in joining, please contact the Cooperative Extension Service or email me for further details.

                                                                                Another Gourd Class
                                                                       (for students 50 years and older)
                                                                at the Adult Wellness Center of Rogers

Finally the month of June arrived.  Teaching a class was a true privilege. After all, what is more fun than sharing something you enjoy? I offered the attendees use of my tools, ink dyes, pigment powders, acrylic paints and embellishments, but  everyone provided their own talent & imagination!  The acquaintances I made through volunteering at the front desk of the Adult Wellness Center, have now become my "friends". The pictures show the story. My gratitude to all who attended and I hope they got as much from the class as I did.   

                                                                   

 
                                        

        The above pictures were taken on the last day our gourd class.   And yes, there were men in the class, too!


                       

Many of my tools, pigment powders and ink dyes are ordered through Welburn Gourd Farm in Fallbrook, CA. They have the most complete product line for gourd art and give excellent service over the phone or on the Internet.




 
                                                                      
 
                                                                                                "Vibrations"

A tap on this drum engages the ear with a soothing tone.  Only in stillness can I accept  the gifts of sound and vibration this gourd has to offer. Gourds are quite remarkable in that the full potential of what it is they become cannot be known until a design is completely finished. The top of the drum is leather tautly pulled across the top. The interlocking circles at the bottom are carved into the gourd. 




                                               


The project of a Gourd Mask was selected by a local library for a summer class. As with most new endeavors, although I am the "teacher",  I  feel more like the "student".   Here is my first attempt at such a design. Do masks have noses???

                                                                                            
The next three gourds have a special spiritual significance to me. After studying dreams for years, I keep a notebook at my bedside to record a dream, a detail or maybe just the way I feel when I awake. Upon reviewing my notes, there seem to be 3 categories -- dreams reflecting the past,  the present and the future. Through dreams I have gained understanding for my weaknesses and strengths as well as received guidance in handling situations in my everyday life. It took years to develop what skill I have in this area, but I have come to realize my experiences are by my own choosing.  And many answers to my questions are inside me.

Just like the gourds below (requiring 2 or more gourds to complete) sometimes it takes bits and pieces of several dreams to understand a situation or event in my life. Writing down my dreams is a way I can begin to open my awareness to my life. Some of these design ideas come through my dreams. I hope you find pleasure to seeing them. Thank you for looking!