New gourd

Pyrographer · #1 10-31-2007, 05:22 PM

Ah yes, back to why were are here.

I'm up to my ears getting ready for a class and some shows but I had to finish this gourd for the class. First the canvas bag and now this. After I finish one more burning and make the pattern for it I'm done preparing for class then we'll see if I can finish two burnings for the art show. Doubt it!!!

It's a mini (3 inch) gourd and I'll never do that again. Burning wasn't so bad but the carving and painting were a bear.

Anway, I'm not sure if I am leaving it as is or applying a finish or not. I think since it's southwestern I'm going to leave it natural. It's all designs I sketched on freehand as I went. I had some ideas in mind but started with the back and designed and sketched as I went. The steer skull is in my front yard and no I didn't kill the poor guy but he's one of our yart (yard art) ornaments.

Sorry the photos didn't come out great. I really gotta work on getting a new camera. The top is painted gold metalic and tourqoise and the paint around the bear is also gold metallic. The steer head is a wash of white and the ribbon on the feathers is tourquoise with an irridescent layer added to it.

Enjoy

Nedra

Lindy · #2 10-31-2007, 05:35 PM

Hi Nedra,

Very nice! Where do you get your gourds? What kind are they? I really want to try that but I know absolutely nothing about preparing the gourd, what types of gourds are the best to use, how to dry them, and then there are those things I don't even know that I need to know.

I really, really like that design by the way as well as the rose you did on the canvas.

Lindy

Pyrographer · #3 10-31-2007, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindy

Hi Nedra,

Very nice! Where do you get your gourds? What kind are they? I really want to try that but I know absolutely nothing about preparing the gourd, what types of gourds are the best to use, how to dry them, and then there are those things I don't even know that I need to know.

I really, really like that design by the way as well as the rose you did on the canvas.

Lindy

Gourds are very different than wood and preparation is very tedious and time consuming unless you buy them craft ready. Years ago when we lived in Texas I got them craft ready from a farm in Texas. I was spoiled. Now I buy some cleaned but some not but none are craft ready (inside cleaned out too). That means I have to clean the outside and inside if I'm cutting it like this one. Cleaning the outside involves a lot of soaking and elbow grease along with scrubbers, etc. Inside is a whole 'nother story. The gourds in NM and Arizona are thick but not as thick as California. You need power tools to really carve and cut them especially if you have arthritis and/or fibro like I do. I'm fortunate to have some local contacts for gourds but there are lots of sources and lots of information on there to help you get started. I will warn you that if you do, you will be spending lots of money on supplies not to mention accessories. Not a cheap hobby like pyrography...buy one burner, some pens and some wood and your done.

While I love pyrography it's not as readily accepted in galleries and art shows so I'm getting back into some other medium again. Not giving up pyrography because I love it but I am broadening my horizons and getting back into more fine arts than wood art. I already have a foredom and dremel power carver so I'm planning on doing some carving on gourds as well as painting so it should be fun.

This cute little bugger is a far cry from fine art but it was another experiment...sort of like my canvas tote.....

Definately a fun project but tedious because of the small size.

After Thanksgiving I have a bit of a break from classes and shows so I'll work on another gourd in between my current burning projects. I like to have a few different projects so if I hit a block with one I can move to something else for a while.

Nedra

Lindy · #4 11-01-2007, 12:17 AM

Nedra,

Thanks for that information. Any chance that you could post a step by step tutorial on the gourd here for those of us who are really, really interested in trying this out? My interest is in doing burned gourds, By the way, are there any books out there that you could recommend for someone who going to have to self teach? Also, what kinds of gourds are they? I see some in the supermarkets at this time of year but haven't bought one since I don't what are the right ones and which ones aren't appropriate.

Thanks Nedra,
Lindy

Mottles · #5 11-01-2007, 01:24 AM

Nice gourd work Nedra, I like the natural color of the gourd--enhances the art work nicely.
Kathy

Joy · #6 11-01-2007, 05:19 AM

Nice job! It is hard to believe it is only 3 inches

Pyrographer · #7 11-01-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindy

Nedra,

Thanks for that information. Any chance that you could post a step by step tutorial on the gourd here for those of us who are really, really interested in trying this out? My interest is in doing burned gourds, By the way, are there any books out there that you could recommend for someone who going to have to self teach? Also, what kinds of gourds are they? I see some in the supermarkets at this time of year but haven't bought one since I don't what are the right ones and which ones aren't appropriate.

Thanks Nedra,
Lindy

Sorry Lindy I honestly don't have time to do a step by step gourd tutorial here. As I said I'm hip deep in preparing for classes and shows and I will continue to provide help when time permits but otherwise will not be so "involved" here as I have been.

But to get you started on your way....There are a bunch of gourd books but the Gourd Pyrography is the best if you are just looking for burning. Best bet is to search Amazon. They have all the gourd books and I think Fox Chapel has some as well. Most all of them will give you step by step in cleaning, etc.

You want to buy gourds already dried unless you want to wait a long time to be able to use them. There are a lot of gourd suppliers but I have no idea what there is in Canada. Below are some links to get you started unfortunately all in the USA but I'm sure if you do a google search you can find stuff in your area. I am sure the American Gourd Association will provide you with some help as well.

Since everything I do is self-taught all I can say is it's not that hard to learn how to work with gourds or finding the right gourds and suppliers but it's not a cheap endeavor. The gourds is the cheapest part but if you really get involved it becomes quite expensive. Around here gourds grow wild and I found many of my gourds growing along deserted roads and I am drying them but to get started I did buy some dried gourds at the farmers market and at the gourd festival a few weeks ago.

Lots you can do with gourds...burning, painting, carving, etc.

Here are some links to help but through each one you will find others. Good luck and have fun!

http://http://www.gourdfarmer.com/
http://www.welburngourdfarm.com/
http://http://www.wuertzfarm.com/

http://www.caningshop.com/
http://www.arizonagourds.com/

http://www.americangourdsociety.org/

Joy, believe me that gourd is 3" and I will never do another tiny one again. Far too hard to work on the tiny details and getting inside to clean was a trsl challenge. I would have liked to paint the inside but I couldn't get my hand inside because of the small opening. Next gourd will be larger.

Kathy, I thought the natural color of the gourd was appropriate for this design. I'll be experimenting with other designs and ideas when time permits but time is not permitting right now. Mostly I was trying to get some new ideas done for the classes and I had just enough small gourds for the class so I wanted to do a small one to show them what they can do with tiny!!!

Hollis Mckinley · #8 11-02-2007, 04:45 PM

Real neat and pretty Nedra!

How did you hold that thing, with widdy bitty tweezers?

Semper Fi!

Fred Zavadil · #9 11-02-2007, 04:57 PM

Nedra,
I just wanted to tell you that I am a great admirer of your work. This one, as all your other pieces I have seen, is just amazing.
Fred

Pyrographer · #10 11-02-2007, 07:40 PM

Hollis, my gosh it was a challenge. Not easy and I have to admit I did drop it once. I swore I'd never do another miniature again yet we went out gourd hunting yesterday and I found about 100 semi mini gourds. They grow wild here and all you have to do is pick them. God bless those birds. I did find some that were a teeny bit bigger.

Fred, thanks for the wonderful compliment. I did enjoy this and I have plans for more gourds. Not this tiny I assure you.

Nedra