September 20 update

We're back from the first Michigan gourd festival and all things considered, (rain and new event) it went very well. I hope they have it again next year.
Gary's gourd was well received and won the Best of Show ribbon. My last year's Bird of Paradise gourd got a first place in weaving. I really should have done another piece, but I'm obviously in 'drift' mode this year.

September 13 update

Here is the finished front of the gourd with the saddle attached for mounting. The sides have been left uncoloured, finished with Deft.
The centre and saddle have been painted with acrylics.







This is the inner disk that will be added inside the gourd to provide depth and contrast. It is a canteen gourd that has been shaped and reconstructed. Gold metal leafing has been applied, and it will sit on a small gourd to raise it to the correct level inside.









The base is a section of a canteen gourd that has been filled to add weight and stability. The surface has been left uncoloured, but sealed with clear sealer.








Assembly is completed. The gold insert has been attached inside, and the back panel replaced. The entire sculpture is centred with a 1 inch wooden dowel to hold everything in place. The drawing of a jaquar has been started on the panel using coloured pencil crayons.













By clicking on the picture you should get an enlargement which will show you the details of the pencil drawing. It is outlined in white and then coloured in a bit at a time.

Fall 2010

Well, it's been a lovely hot summer, but it's time to get back to work. We didn't do the Goderich Celtic festival this year, so we had the entire summer to enjoy. Now it's time to gear up for the fall shows.

Gary has started his latest carving. He's always more intense and dedicated than I am, once he gets started. He carves for several hours at a time. I admire his determination.

So far he has rough-carved the base, the front and three sides of the canteen gourd that he will be constructing. He is doing a Mayan theme again.


This is the decorative shoulder that the gourd will sit on. It reminds me of a large hair barrett.







This is the rough base structure that will be assembed once everything is done. You can see the carved shoulder on the top.







He had to do some infilling in the centre of the gourd where the stem was, to make it level. The carving is very detailed and intricate. This is a fairly thick canteen gourd.








This is one side of the gourd. It has a Mayan warrior figure.











This is the other side of the gourd. It is a very confusing carving, depicting the warrior being swallowed by a giant snake. If you look carefully you can see the body of the snake at the bottom. His jaws are spread wide and the head of the warrior is coming out of his mouth. Mayan carvings are quite disturbing!







To relieve the gloom and doom of the more complicated carving, the one across the top is more light-hearted and simple. It depicts a relaxing jaguar.






He plans to insert another gourd inside to increase the depth of the carving, but we'll have to wait and see what that will look like. Stay tuned.

Art of Coiling and Carving classes

Coming in May 2011, to Epping, New Hampshire. See the flyer at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Whale-Arts/120803174626882