about me
I am a decorative painter/artist; all of my pieces are designed and created by me.
I create unique hand painted and handcrafted designs created from dried cured hardshell gourds. Dried hardshell gourds have been my primary medium for many years . I love the history, developmental process from seed to dried gourd, as well as their organic nature. Each gourd “speaks” to me - their unique
shapes, mold pattern /design, shell thickness play a part in inspiring my creations.
My gourd art is individually created for quality, originality, character and beauty and intended for years of use; no mass production of product.
Some of the items I make out of gourds are- purses, figures, lamps, vessels, bowls, birdhouses, ornaments, jewelry; many seasonal items as well as for everyday use.
Born and raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area, where I currently reside. While my education background is in the field of Nursing as a Registered Nurse, I've also taken many art and painting classes, and am primarily self taught through many years of practice. I have maintained dual careers -as an artist and a nurse for many years. My work has been sold in galleries and shops in Northeast Ohio, as well as in Illinois and Michigan. As part owner of 2 co-op galleries in the Cleveland area in the past, I also sold my work there, as well as at the many regional juried art show/exhibitions that I have participated in.
My work is currently available at my upcoming art shows, as well as my Etsy site.
Some awards I have received:
St John Westshore Festival of the Arts 2014,2015 ; Fine Craft category-2014-Honerable Mention, 2015-Second place
Wooster Arts and Jazz fest 2015-Best of Show-First place, Creativity-FIrst place
American Gourd Society 2014 The Gourd Magazine (quarterly publication) Fall 2014-Functional Art contest winner (gourd purse); Winter2014 Featured Artist.
Memberships:
Ohio Designer Craftsmen
American Gourd Society
Ohio Gourd Society
Berea Fine Arts Club
Cleveland Museum of Art