My husband and I came to Arizona in 1975 and initially settled in Maricopa County securing employment in Mortgage Banking in Phoenix. In 1980 we moved into the country where we raised Quarter Horses. While working from my office in Wickenburg I took up sewing in my
spare time making western style vests. I then ventured into sewing stuffed animals of all sizes and shapes. A talented lady opened a small shop inviting oil painting classes, which I attended for a short time. It was then that I learned the technique of oil painting and my interest grew in that art form.

One day we visited a home show in Phoenix where I visited a tent occupied by a lady showing a brightly painted gourd bird house. She was taking classes in her retirement community craft shop in Sun City. We purchased that bird house and that was the beginning of my venture into the world of Gourd Art!
 

Back in the early 80’s there was not much interest in the form of Gourd Art. Little information was available and it certainly was not recognized as an art form. We moved to the Sierra Vista area in 2004 when we officially retired, built a house in Hereford on 8 acres which included a
large work shop. This provided me with the ability in the following years to have classes and gourd meetings with fellow "Gourders". All eager to share their knowledge and experience.
 

As I investigated the ‘gourd art’ field I found no one giving classes and little information as currently available on You Tube. However I did find an artist (Bonnie Gibson) residing in Tucson that did provide classes in her home. So I took those classes from her and eventually from various other artists at the Gourd Farm located in Casa Grande when they offered classes. Over the years I’ve taken classes on line and in person from experienced artists learning the various forms in this “art”, including drawing on a round form, carving, wood burning, painting and pine needle weaving.
 

Preparing a gourd is an arduous process, however once the initial cleaning process is done it is ready to carve, wood burn, paint, weave or decorate in any manner you find pleasing. A gourd is a canvas prepared by nature not requiring framing, matting, etc. Just imagination and
knowledge.
 

I have been very fortunate to show my Gourd Art in the Huachuca Art Association Art Gallery for the past 18 years. I’ve met and know some tremendous and great talented people from the HAA.