This is the second Spirit Blossom in my series and was made for a dear friend of mine here in Arizona. She found the gourd at the Wuertz Gourd Farm near Casa Grand Arizona. It is different from my first gourd in the fact that it has not been cut open and gutted. When you shake it you can hear the seeds and the dried gourd membrane inside the gourd seemingly speaking to you.
The quotation I used on this gourd reads: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take...but by the moments that take our breath away." (author unknown) Also, placed within the tangles of the vines at the base of the gourd is reference to a scriptural passage that is special to Phyllis. The traditional native American spirit line is also designed into the composition of the artwork. I feel this is a truly "spiritual" piece.
The art process in designing this piece was the same as Spirit Blossom # 1 shown in and an earlier post. The artwork was drawn directly on to the cleaned gourd surface with a black fine point Faber Castell Pitt Penn. The ink in these pens is permanent. The gourd was then sprayed upon completion with a clear acrylic finish.
Making this art piece for Phyllis invigorated my spirit as in the same way that drawing or painting in the out of doors would. There is a "magic" in working with natural things. The piece now sits in Phyllis's home in a special place of its own where she can enjoy its beauty and renew in its serenity.
If I get lonely for it all I have to do is make a visit. :)
32 comments:
This is beautiful and oh so special. Excellent!
That is sooo awesome!
It is beautiful and creative.
again i am overawed, wow, and wow again. i love gourds (having been born and lived in africa for 38 years)
Thanks for all your comments everyone! It was such a joy to do!
Gourd take on a whole life of their own, don't they? :)
These are so beautiful and so intricately done..
sandy
You are so talented....your gourd is beautiful! I love the effect of the black pen. I'm looking forward to seeing the next one ~ :)
These gourds are stunning! Do you plan out the design ahead of time or do you just start drawing? I've only done gourd art once. I have a friend who is a gourd artist and she allowed me to use her tools to carve. I would love to do more carving but haven't been able to get the money together for the hand held jigsaw. But these, well, these that you do an be done without fancy equipment so I see new hope! I'm going to find the gourds I have stashed and play around! You have inspired me. And you used one of my favorite scripture passages on the piece! ;)
Very nice line work, the detail is just stunning!
Awesome! Truly spiritual art -- I am inspired.
Woww I was blown away. Yes of course I know your awesome artwork, but to see it on the gourd with the sayings and beautiful colors in 3D is amazing. Absolutely stunning! Thanks for the comment on my blog. I thought about prints, but thanks Im also thinking about cards since you mentioned it
Thanks Sandy, Serens, Angie, Lisa
Christie, and Pamyla! Your comments mean a lot to me!
Pamyla you may have just jump started my gourd decorating engine again...Haven't done one in a couple of months...With the hot Arizona summer...this may indeed be the psefect time to do so! :)
Those are absolutely gorgeous! I have never seen anything like this before. Let me know if you ever want a handbound sketchbook! (Once i start making them again)I would love to barter in the future!
Oh, this is a very beautiful gourd art!
This is very nice.
i have a dried gourd i've been wondering what to do with.....yours are beauts
Truely beautiful!
i absolutely love the idea, the design is fabulous
Design on a vessel. Grecian pottery but a one of a kind shape with sound effects. Elegant.
Stunning! I'm impressed by the detail. What a nice gift for your friend :)
How beautiful these gourds are! Your line work is wonderful and I love the way you incorporate quotations - very special!
I am truly impressed. Wow! Wish I could draw like that. Great quotation too.
absolutely beautiful and a wonderful idea. Love everything about it.
These gourd paintings are excellent!
I recently varnished and preserved some brightly colored yellow and green gourds,,,and although they are beautiful, they don't begin to compare with the talent you've shown on yours!
Amazing!
This is so lovely piece
Both these Spirit Blossoms are so lovely and unique, such delicate work, you are very creative.
Wow, very cool, organic art. Love it.
This is cool !!
You're so talented !
Wow - I love this piece! And great quotation :). It will look really good in a garden.
Wow, this is gorgeous work!!!
WOW! This is wondeful!!
Mrs. Roche!
Remember this awkward student from Sycamore Junior High? I'm now an author of four books and it would be an honor to share them with you. You can message me through my website at timfoxauthor.com. :)
Tim Fox
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