The gourd is a wonderful product of Nature and has been used by ancient cultures all around the world for bowls, dippers, baskets, water containers, musical instruments, and ornaments of art. In the hand of Marilyn Sunderland, a Columbia based artist, gourd is turned into a spectacular work of art. Drawings inspiration from the beautiful landscapes in the Utah valley, where Sunderland has been living for the last 30 years, this incredible artist etches incredibly detailed shapes into the shell of gourds creating awe-inspiring masterpieces.
When Sunderland was asked why choose gourd, she said “Gourds grow into an infinite variety of shapes and sizes – eggs, dippers, kettles, baskets, apples, canteens, cannon balls, bottles, snakes and so on. It is so versatile it can be carved like wood, burned with wood-burning tools, or painted with almost any paint medium. The gourd is truly a great canvas for artists, to create what ever the artistâs imagination can bring forth.” [source]
As always, all rights retained by the creator.
you are amazing..i just got started with carving gourds. i hope i can do as well.