Unique and one-of-a-kind mixed media folk art is created primarily with gourds. Many of the gourds are grown on the PA farm where I reside with my husband and co-artist, Bob. The shape of the gourd is studied to determine what it wants to be. No two gourds are alike having various shapes, sizes and textures. Sometimes a piece is created by individually hand-painting a gourd with it’s original unaltered shape using layers of acrylic paint with meticulous attention to detail. Other times mixed media work is created with paper clay hand-sculpted onto or over the gourd altering its shape and then hand-painted. A multi-step, hand-rubbed aging technique using an umber wash finishes each piece before sealing and adds to the old fashioned charm. Most of the pieces are whimsical and holiday themed. The simplicity of country life on the family farm, the changing seasons, an affinity for treasures from a bygone era and holiday traditions…these things are all celebrated in my work.