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About Me
My Background
I was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. During my teen years our family lived in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. We moved to Midland, Texas in 1977 and I have loved Texas ever since. My ancestors were Irish, Scottish and Cherokee. I am fortunate to come from a very artistic family. Consequently, I have always enjoyed and participated in the liberal arts.
My Interest in Gourds
In 2004, I became fascinated by gourd art after attending a Native American Festival. A friend and I began experimenting with gourds and wood stains. I loved it from day one. I took formal art classes in high school. I am self-taught in pine needle coiling. With a leather working manual from my father, I have incorporated some of these leather techniques into my pine coiling to give my pieces a simplistic unique clean look. I have taken formal carving classes from Bonnie Gibson and several other gourd artists.
I like for each gourd’s natural beauty to shine. I believe that all the cracks and interesting marks made by animals or mold on the gourds are like looking at the burl in a beautiful piece of wood. This year my backyard became a jungle of gourd vines to supplement my gourd addiction. I am a member of the American and Texas Gourd Societies and the Arlington Gourd Patch. I have competed in the Lone Star Gourd Festival in Fredericksburg, Texas winning my first Division ribbon. I have also competed in the Arizona Gourd Festival and the New Mexico Gourd Festival winning ribbons in both.
My Family
I am the proud mother of two young adults. I have worked for the same accounting firm for the last 27 years. I work on my gourds as often as I can on week nights and on weekends. I look forward to the new adventures in life and opportunities to share my art with others.
