Thursday, May 19, 2011

Show-Me Gourd Society State Gourd Festival

As some of you may know, the weekend of April 28th I attended the State Gourd Festival in Sedalia, MO. What a wonderful time I had! I took a new class with a new technique in waxing that was developed by Miriam Joy of Miriam Joy Gourd Creations. Terrific class and I love this new technique.  I will show you some gourds made with this new technique in the near future. I taught this new technique to some of my students this past Saturday and they loved it too. So many pieces of Gourd Art to see, and ooooh and aaaaaah over. There were some very famous artists who had pieces entered into the competiions. The gourd society had several different classes and catagories in which to enter your art work. I took three pieces of my gourd art and entered them into the competition. I won blue ribbons on all three of them. The first piece was entered in the catagory "Whole Gourd any technique" the second catagory that I entered was "Cut Gourd any technique" and the third was "Useful bird house any technique".

Each leaf was woodburned unto this gourd. I used dyes for the leaf color. Between each leaf was carved out and painted black. I wanted it to resemble a pile of leaves falling to the ground.

This piece actually has a tree carved out on each side of the gourd. The tree itself was woodburned before it was cut out. I could only cut out a couple of pieces to use to clean out the interior of the gourd. Very difficult cleaning and then I used acrylic paint (Metallic sapphire blue) to color the inside. The trees were painted with crayon watercolors. I used dye for the exterior of the gourd and then sealed it.


This bird house was cleaned somewhat on the inside but not completely. The bird would use what's left in making their nest. Holes were drilled in the bottom for any drainage. The outside design was woodburned into the gourd and then the shapes were painted with crayon watercolors. I put several coats of sealer on the outside.

I hope you enjoy my blue ribbon gourds, I know I was very proud to win them!! If you are anywhere close to Springfield, MO you might want to attend the next State Gourd Festival. We voted on the last day of this festival to move the festival to Springfield, MO next year. The festival will be held at the Springfield fairgrounds. If you vacation in Branson, MO you might want to schedule your vacation for April 28, and 29th 2012. I hope to see many more people there this next year. I'm the chairman in charge of lining up the classes for it. I may even teach a class myself. Please give me some feedback cause I love to hear from everyone. You're all important to me and I have especially noticed all the new followers!!

Hugs to you XX
Barbara

Why not go check out what the other Artsy Bloggers are up to this week:

Beading Arts
And yet another chance to win a bead package giveaway!

Creative Dreamer
The final Creativity Invitation prompt is up... June hopes you'll all come play!


Eileen-The Artful Crafter
Who doesn't recycle cards and gift bags these days? This was a real simple recycling project. Look at the card Jackie gave Eileen for her birthday; and then how Jackie received it back on hers!


Laura-Taz's Corner
Art Journal Fun


Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
When spring gives you strawberries and rhubarb, you've got to make crisp!

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Congratulations Barbara ! Great job ! Beautiful work !

Eileen Bergen said...

Three entries and three blue ribbons? Wow, Barbara, you really shot the moon!

Congratulations!!

They're all beautiful. Good tip on leaving some of the stuff inside the birdhouse for the bird's to use.

Unknown said...

Your gourds are AMAZING!! The first one really does look like falling leaves tumbling to the ground. Congratulations! {Yes, a stocked pond with a fishing pole and bait sounds perfect ;) }

ACreativeDreamer said...

No wonder you got three blue ribbons, they are all just gorgeous! Great job Barbara!

Ladydy5 aka: Diane Yates said...

I did gourds a few years back but yours are absolutely beautiful. Wish I had you near me to make mine look better. Beautiful work.
I think I have them shown on my blog but not as intricate as yours.
I am now a follower.

Cindy Adkins said...

Congratulations, Barbara!! 3 BLUE RIBBONS--It's amazing, my friend and so well-deserved--I am so proud of you!! It makes me smile from ear to ear!!
XO
Cindy

jinxxxygirl said...

Congrats on all your ribbons Barbara! They are amazing! Thank you so much for your comment! The trick is to never give up never say 'Uncle'! LOL! Hugs! deb

Unknown said...

Your gourds are beautiful, unique and creative! Congrats!

Roselle

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Barbara,
Thanks so much for coming to visit...I have been so busy getting that new section ready, taking pictures, and making everything--now I can breathe! lol
XO
Cin

Cyndi L said...

CONGRATULATIONS on all the blue ribbons, Barbara!! You rock!

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Barbara,
I just popped over to wish you a Happy Memorial Day!
XO
Cindy

Bee said...

Wow these are beautiful and I can only begin to imagine the hours you must put into them. They are totally stunning.

xx

Mosaic Magpie said...

Barbara,
I am delighted you left me a comment, so I could find you. I love your gourd work. I have created some gourd art myself. I will be looking forward to seeing what you make as a result of your recent class.

Deb

Sandy said...

Congrats! Those are really cool. My dad used to dry gourds out and make little bird houses with them. Nothing fancy, but the birds like them.