Ancient cultures have used gourds in daily life as far back as 11,000 BC. The gourd has been referred to as "natures greatest gift to mankind", because of its usefulness. It is believed to be the only plant that has spanned the globe in prehistoric times. It has been used in everyday life as well as in sacred rituals.

The gourd is an organic canvas, and provides a sense of beauty all of its own. I hope my art enhances the natural beauty of each shell.

The entire transformation--from putting the gourd seed into the ground to the final finishing touches --have been filled with hope. As you enjoy the gourd may the hope I have put into it be passed on to you.

I live in the southwestern part of Wisconsin, in the shadow of the world's largest M just outside of Platteville. Because of my rural address and the fact that I have chosen to work with gourds I have named my business Rural Roots Gourd Art.

I more or less stumbled upon working with gourds when we grew them one year and got a bumper crop. I decided to try my hand at putting a design on them. I got several of Ginger Summitt's books from the public library and did some reading up on them.

I work with geometric patterns, reminiscent of what I had learned in my college drafting courses. I use a compass, ruler, and other tools to lay out my designs. After it is drawn, I use a pyro-engraving tool to burn the design outline on to the shell of the gourd. I like to use pottery designs from ancient Southwest Indian tribes like the Pima, Mimbres, and Acoma. Each tribe had their own techniques and motifs. I also create my own patterns.

I have used leather dyes and many different types of mediums from permanent markers to colored pencils. I find that oil enamel paints give a more vibrant color. My wife helps by adding pine needles or other natural embellishments to the rims of the gourds. I like to allow much of the natural beauty of the gourd show, therefore I don't paint the whole gourd, just the design.

The gourd has been finished with a polyurethane and requires no special care. Simply wipe with a damp cloth , gourds last longer if kept out of direct sunlight.