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Maureen Hawthorn
MULTI-MEDIUM ARTIST: Paint, Various Dyes & Stains, Pyrography (Wood Burning), Pine Needle Weaving.
I am the sole creator of each of the decorative gourds on display. Gourds belong to the family of plants known as Cucurbits. For centuries people used them as water bottles, eating utensils and storage containers. Today gourds are known to be used as a natural canvas for a contemporary form of art. I use all shapes and sizes of gourds to make a large variety of gourd art such as jewelry, ornaments, vases, bowls, drums and dolls.
After cleaning and sanding the gourds I embellish them many ways. Techniques to follow include leather dyes, powdered pigment and acrylic paint to color them. I also use Teneriffe (Irish waxed linen weaving) and pine needle weaving to make designs on the gourds, adding beads, leather, gemstones and feathers to further decorate my work.
My subject matter originates from my memory, photographs and imagination. I first develop my ideas through a series of sketches, and then draw the chosen composition directly onto the prepared gourd. I begin by burning my design into the hard surface of the gourd followed by painting thin layers of color, and then gradually build subsequent layers of paints, pigments or dyes until I achieve the desired color density over the design areas of the surface.
I mainly make gourd art to sell, but also create special pieces for gifts. For the past three years I have sold my work at a number of “Arts & Crafts” shows. throughout the state of Arizona and have done some commission work. I have received recognition (blue ribbons) for the past two years at the Arizona Gourd Festival which is held annually in Casa Grande.
Fox Trail |
Angel Tree |
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Peacock Lady |
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