Gourd Art is My Passion

thx for the info on the credit card thing. I ended up buying a square and will use this wkend. Will look into go payment soon to compare. thx again, Christine

You did a good job carving.  I especially like the top leather look.  You look like you have a good handle on sanding too.  I hate that the most.

Well, Hellen, I never did that stunt but ones just as bad.  I once had a nice tall thick appearing gourd that I had everything drawn before I ever cut it open.  Yes, you guessed it.  The gourd was thin.  Fortunately, it was a Wuerz gourd and was extremely hard so the carving worked okay.  Sometimes I just don't think.

Now you need to tell me what you did wrong.  I'm sure I'll say that I have done the same thing some time along the line. 

My swamp cooler is called an Ultra Cooler.  I got it at Lowes and don't remember what I paid.  It puts out nice cool air and I think it's good for 1-3 people.  Of course, I'm using mine outside.  In the garage you might get better results.  Bonnie has a larger one that would probably keep more people cool.  I think she got it at Home Depot.  She rigged hers with a piece of tubing that ran to large bucket so that she doesn't have to fill it as often. She just sets the bucket on top of the unit and it works like a charm. Mine holds enough water for a morning of carving, about 4 hours.  It definitely is a good investment if you want to work in the summer months.  Our temps. are now hovering around 100 and that's just too hot even with a swamp cooler in the afternoon.  I usually work outside in the morning and then inside in the afternoon.

I know what you mean about the heat.  It is 84 at 10:22 PM.  I imagine it reached 100 today.  I felt the pool water and it is warm enough to go swimming finally.  You would think with the high temps. that cooler pool water would be better.  But the lack of moisture makes it just to chilly unless the water is warmer.  I bought myself a portable swamp cooler for my outside work area.  It works great.  I don't know if you have a lot of humidity or not.  If so, a swamp cooler won't work for you.

I'm glad you sold a piece at the gallery.  I know it has been tough for the galleries but I just don't miss doing that at all.

Talk to you soon.

Phyllis

I know carving is addictive!!!  I don't want to do any other form of gourd work other than my colored pencils.  I can't just paint a gourd.  I have this need to carver first.  Is that weird or what?  I have tried embellishments but am never pleased with the gourds.  I have done pine needle work and like that.

The only problem with having a retreat is the amount of work involved.  Bonnie and I did a couple of advance carving classes a few years ago here at my place.  I have a three car garage so we could work inside.  Any that wanted to stay after the class for Chinese takeout did.  We spent the rest of the evening eating and sitting on the patio.  That would have been just fine but then we had a second day of the class.  Ugh!  The money was great but teaching is just not my cup of tea.  I just want to create on my own and once in awhile get together with a couple of buddies and work on gourds.  The nice thing about getting together is that we usually do something quiet so we can visit.  This also means that I try different things.  Most of the time what we try doesn't stick but you never know. Some time I might find something else I enjoy as much.

Phyllis

Hi Hellen,

I did not look for a new gallery yet and may not.  I have been working on a few canteen gourds with Native American themes.  I have nothing finished but thought I could paint once it gets too hot to be outside working.  I mainly want to have enough gourds for the booth at Wuertz.  I've also been busy in the yard.  We had it professionally landscaped last summer and I have been maintaining it as well as adding more plants in the flower beds.  Everything is low water like penstenom, Angelita daisies etc.  The yard is like an oasis and I just love it.

This hasn't been a good time health wise though.  I never had a big problem with allergies until I moved here.  They seem especially bad this year and the medicine just makes me tired and sleepy.  At least it keeps me from rubbing my eyes so much.  I also had a stiff neck and was going to physical therapy.  I got one of those Stabowlizers that Bonnie mentioned.  It is for putting a bowl (hence the spelling) in when mixing something.  I fastened it to a piece of plywood and placed my gourd in it when carving.  It's like having a third hand.  The gourd grips the rubbery surface nicely.  I just have to wipe the gourd dust off every once in a while.  I'm not looking completely straight out but much better than carving on my lap like I did before.  I'll just have to take breaks and do the neck exercises every once in a while.  I definitely don't want to give up carving!  I haven't painted yet so I'll just have to see how to adjust that too.

I imagine you will have no problem with carving.  Anyone that can paint and do the beautiful work that you do as well as see where the shadows go etc. should have no problem carving.  It will just take some practice.  I use structured tooth burs to begin heavy carving.  It gets the unwanted parts off quickly.

It was good hearing from you.

Phyllis

Hellen, I always loved your Santas! I have been doing witches, spiders, etc until I am really for a change.  LOL

Thank you Hellen.  Yes, I am doing much better.  I am working on more "crafty" things lately than artistic!  Have been doing witches!  LOL