Gourd Art Vessels from Hot Off the Vine, specializing in decorative pyroengraved gourd art vessels

Rainforest Adventure

Large Kettle gourd done entirely in Pyrography. Depicts plants and animals of the Brazilian rainforest. Winner the Blue Ribbon for Pyrography Category in the Grand Masters Division, the Best of Grand Masters, and the Best of Show overall at the 2011 Georgia Gourd Society Festival.

Hot Off the Vine art vessels utilize hard shelled gourds. The Lageneria family of gourds are related to cucumbers, squash and pumpkins. They have been used by mankind for many thousands of years in the form of bowls, containers and musical instruments.

I love themes from nature, and do some Celtic and Native American designs as well. Many of my ideas come from photos and clipart done through extensive computer research.

All the artwork starts with free-hand pencil drawings that are roughed in; and then the real work begins. Each design is painstakingly burned into the shell using the ancient art of pyrography (wood burning). Pyrography is Latin for "fire writing". That's why I call my studio Hot Off the Vine.

While most of my pieces are left with the natural color of gourd to act as a background for the artwork, some gourds are enhanced with color. I use colored pencils, acrylics, water color pencils, ink dyes and permanent pens depending on the effect that is needed. Other designs have pine needle coiling, leather, hemp lacing, or raffia collars. Power carving, fretwork (cutouts) and clay are also used to enhance the natural beauty of the gourds.

WHAT PEOPLE ASK ME!!!

The gourds are not stenciled or traced. I do use reference materials like lots of photos. No two are exactly alike - each piece is signed, and titled. They are pyroengraved with a woodburning pen using stippling, shading, cross hatching and other drawing techniques - a time consuming effort.

No, I don't burn myself - that was a one time experience! Lesson learned!

I do not grow gourds but leave that up to growers who have the time and dedication to produce these wonderful "canvasses" for us to work on. Most of my gourds are purchased online from vendors I trust for great gourds.

Bearded Irises Vase

22 inch tall wine bottle gourd, cut and attached to wood base. Apoxie Sculpted irises and leaves. Gourd colored with ink dye and flowers painted copper, silver and bronze. Blue Ribbon winner in the Grand Masters Division, Florial Category, at the 2011 Georgia Gourd Society Festival.

Circles of Life

Kettle gourd cut as a box with a disappearing lid. Circular vignettes and 3D discs of gourd with flowers, animals, insects, wicker. Pyrography , ink dyes, and ink pens. Winner of the Blue Ribbon for the Box category in the Grand Masters Division, 2011 Georgia Gourd Society Festival.