To Gourd or Not to Gourd
As we move into fall it is only fitting to feature an artist who has a unique medium and one that becomes more abundant in the upcoming season. Gourds-are often used for fall decoration, creating musical instruments and can magically be transformed into beautiful works of art.
“Gourds are the runts of their family of fruits, too tough and bitter to eat, but they remain one of the most popular crops of fall.
Brian Wilson is not only a wonderful painter, but he uses his creative skills in a very unique way creating wonderfully whimsical creatures out of gourds. What fun to see what little bobbles of joy will come from each gourd he attempts to transform. It takes such imagination to bring these magical little creatures to life.
Brian mentions that as a youngster he thoroughly enjoyed painting the Paint by Numbers’ way to creating, which was eventually replaced by Donna Dewberry’s One Stroke Painting Technique, however for Brian life went on in a different direction and for many years he stored his paints away.
“Sometimes the people one meets along their journey are the best surprises of all. Brian Wilson, is one of those wonderful people for me.
Once retired and becoming Snowbirds vacationing in their motorhome, he was off to Arizona and Brian returned to his creative self, taking the opportunity to delve back into his painting. The RV park where Brian stayed had a painting class, held one a week, mostly painting on rocks. While there he discovered the local college was offering a six-week course in acrylics and off to college he went. Over the next six winters Brian took lessons in Acrylic, Oils and Watercolour mediums.
On a side trip to Casa Grande, Arizona about four years ago Brian was introduced to the world of “ornamental dried gourds”. A large and amazing world and a whole new medium to explore. During his time there he visited a gourd farm, that was about ten miles from where they were staying and in these two weeks in Casa Grande, he visited that gourd farm 5 more times. Casa Grande hosts a Gourd Festival annually, and from then on Brian attended whenever he was in town. There he experienced many lessons such as proper cleaning, design, carving, cutting, sculpting and pyrography.
The once student eventually became the teacher of his own group of budding artists. Brian eventually took on a paint class of his own and shared his gift with others around him. As a creative Brian’s enthusiasm and charm is contagious, not to mention his fun spirited nature. It is no wonder these wonderful sculptural creatures come to be in whatever form he sees. No matter whether a cat, duck, mice or a turtle each one evolves out of this simple fruit with its own unique quirky personality. They become little creatures born of Brian’s imagination and carry with them a whack load of personality and fun.
For more information on Brian’s creations please see his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/avenueonenine.woodartcrafts.
