NMGS MEMBER GOURD ARTISTS
The New Mexico Gourd Society is honored to have so many members that are amazingly talented gourd artists. Many members show their work at galleries throughout the West, create and enter artwork in American Gourd Society competitions, State Fairs, local art and craft festivals, home and garden shows while still finding time to teach gourd technique classes at our regular meetings and at gourd festivals everywhere. We often hear people say that they “are amazed by what people can do with gourds.”
NMGS Members' have a gallery page to share their artist statement and the journey to being inspired by gourds as an artistic medium. The New Mexico Gourd Society is proud to present gourd artwork created by our members and share their incredible gourds beyond the borders of New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment.
Enjoy our Enchanted Gourds!
I LOVE GOURDS! I was introduced to gourds in 2013 when a girlfriend came back to Albuquerque after wintering in Arizona. She said, “I have something exciting to show you”. Exciting indeed!!! . She showed me how to clean and cut a gourd open. Hmmm. Interesting! I had been looking for “something new”. She opened my eyes to a “whole new art form”.
I was a Nail Tech for 25 years. I like “detail”. And I found that in my gourds. I think my favorite technique is wood burning. I have challenged myself to try carving (still learning) and my goal in 2019 is to become a better painter.
So much to learn, so much to love with gourds. And…… so many wonderful people I have met with the same passion!
Caryl Goodman
I moved to New Mexico from Alabama. I have been doing gourd work since 2007. I served as a leader of the Huntsville Gourd Group and was elected to several offices in the Alabama Gourd Society. I love all kinds of gourd work and am glad to be a part of the NMGS.
Neva Beasley
I also love gourds and was introduced for the first time to them when I attended a show at the NM Fair Grounds. I couldn't believe how unique and beautiful this type of art was. So they referred me to Welburn Gourd Farm where I attended the last festival that they would be having. I took three days of classes and bought every thing and more that I would need to get me started on my new craft. I have had so much fun and met so many wonderful gourd crafters on the way. Thank you to all the teachers and classes that have been afforded me. I've learned so much.
Jeannie Pinel
For NMGS members: The artist gallery webpage is for you to exhibit your gourd artwork and establish contacts with other artists. If you wish to be included, please send your Artist State-ment (200 words or less) and a maximum of six photos (JPEG format only 30-60K file size) to nmgourdsociety@gmail.com. If you would like to have your personal website linked to your art-ist gallery page, we will be happy to do so. If you wish to be con-tacted about your artwork, please include your contact informa-tion. Reminder: This is a non-commercial site as mandated by our non-profit, tax-exempt status.
I was born and raised in a small town in Indiana, Crawfordsville to be exact. I mention the town only because it does have a New Mexico connection. General Lew Wallace, the first Territorial Governor of New Mexico, was from that town. He was a hero to us, and New Mexico presented a vision of life so different from our life in Indiana. I graduated from Miami University school of education and taught elementary grades for two years. After marrying my husband Richard, we lived in Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York where we raised our two children Steven and Robin. In the mid 1980’s Richard’s job took us and our teenage children to Tokyo, Japan. In spite of the initial culture shock, this was an opportunity to learn new traditions and expand our horizons. I did study the language with a private teacher, but mostly she spoke with me in English. We discussed Japanese history, the origin of the festivals at the numerous temples, how to prepare Japanese food, etc. Once a week I studied Ikebana, Japanese flower arranging, and received my teaching certificate shortly before our return to the US four years after our arrival.
It was after we moved to New Mexico in 1998 that I became familiar with hard shell gourds. Every home we have had featured annually a small vegetable garden. Our property in Corrales quickly gave birth to quite a large garden. Richard is a fabulous vegetable grower, and we soon started taking our excess produce to the Growers Market. My growing contribution to our enterprise became gourds. I learned they are terrific vehicles for crafting, and I became captivated—totally hooked. Although we no longer participate in the Growers Market, I have continued growing gourds. It is thrilling to see what one tiny seed can produce during our growing season. My first gourds were treated with a min wax finish and colored with pencils. Painting on gourds is not fun for me. Now my favorite techniques are wood burning and coloring with ink dyes. When I finish a gourd, I like to see that it is after all — a gourd. I have enjoyed my association with NMGS since its founding 2003. I’ve been introduced to new techniques, ideas, and possibilities; plus I have made wonderful friends. Thank you for being one of them and HAPPY GOURDING!!! Martha Van Ripper
I moved to New Mexico from South Carolina in 1992 and brought with me 5 bushel gourds just because I love gourds! In my first New Mexico magazine there was an ad for Robert Rivera gourds . I was inspired to try to make a members inspired bowl out of one of my gourds. I used leather dye and pens. I made one for myself and one for each of my 4 siblings. Fast forward to 2018. I attended a couple of gourd society meetings with my friend, Kathleen Landreth, and now I am learning so much from other members!! Dar Stone has had some awesome workshops and I have learned from other workshops as well, including going to Wuertz festival with Neva and Jeannie. struggle with wood burning but I am still trying to learn. Carving takes practice, too, but is enjoyable for me. Bonnie Gibson has some great tutorials you can buy from her website. My husband rolls his eyes when he sees new boxes of gourds show up but they don't have an expiration date. I am looking forward to learning new techniques and also using known techniques to create new art. Jana Muneta