This is a gourd lamp that I painted for an exchange on my favorite e-mail list, "The Gourdpatch". The gourd is about 7 1/2" in diameter and stands 10-11 inches tall, with the lamp parts and shade it stands to about 20 inches. I drill a hole in each end trying, un-scientifically, to find where the center should be. I can usually get pretty close. It's the use of tripod drawer pulls (made of wood and available at most any hardware store) that I get them to stand straight. This is like shooting darts, it's an eyeball kind of thing.
I found "The Gourpatch" through the web site I mentioned above, "The Gourd Artist Guild"
The paintings on this gourd depict life on the James River in Virginia. 200 years ago the river was the primary means of transporting goods for sale. It is what made my home town, Scottsville, a "hub" and the original county seat of Albemarle. If you would like to see a good web page about my town try this link...
"James River Reeling and Rafting"
. The river that made my town, also tried to take it out during hurricaines Camille and Agnes decades ago. Since then the town has built a dike for protection and the little town is experiencing it's own little renaissance period.
The James River Batteau was inventented by Anthony Rucker. Although you can't see it, besides the boys, it is also painted on the gourd and has two men poling it through the water. Thomas Jefferson was there for it's maiden launch from Lynchburg Virginia and it is said that he was quite impressed with it. Mr. Jefferson also was witness, some years later, to the successful patent of this vessel. To commemorate, there are a group of enthusiasts who re-enact the voyage from Lynchburg to Richmond, they dress in period style and stop in each "port" on the way, it's a big event around here.
To read more about the " James River Batteau " just go here.
This gourd was a gift for my friend, mentor, and former co-worker. It is what has been termed the "Gourd-bye Gift". Five years ago the company that I work for was bought and I watched many many friend leave the company, either of their own volition or because they were asked to leave. Anyway lots of folks received a gourd as their going away present from me. Hence, the "Gourd-bye Gift". Some folks joke about wanting to quit just so they too can get a gourd.
I procrastinated for what seemed like forever, and in a bug's life it was, 15 months. She told me what she would like, I knew what to do, I just couldn't seem to get the idea to fully jell and onto the gourd. Finally, though, the design made it's connection from my brain to my hands and onto the gourd. When it finally came to me boy! it was there. I worked hard and furiously on it, and basically finished it in a weekend! This, for me is unheard of! Although you can only see one side of it there are swans all the way around, either swimming on, flying over, lifting off of or landing on the lake.
I had an art teacher comment to me that it was obvious that I had to use the whole surface...it's true. I just can't seem to leave one space un-painted or addressed in some manner. It drives me nuts.
This is a gourd lamp that I created for my youngest son, Jared. He is quite a hunter. He actually helped out a little. He decided that one of the bucks should have a "drop tine". This is a horn that points down. You can see it fairly well in the picture of the tree. He drew the tine on, I did the rest. He was also very helpful in assembling the lamp. I wish to thank him for his help and patience, he waited a long time. He got a little uneasy though when I was working on another gourd because of other commitments.
This gourds dimensions are 41 inches in circumfrence it stands about 10 inches high, with lamp fixtures attached it stands a stately 25 inches tall. I grew the gourd in my own garden 2 years ago. It's slightly different than what I usually do. The deer, dogs and tree are pyro-engraved. They are detailed with colored pencil. The background is acrylic paint and is, I think, surreal. However, people who have seen it have differing interpretations of what, exactly, the backgroud represents. Some say a deep forrest others say the wind. Finally, it is finished with polyurethane. It took approximately 40 hours to complete this project. This lamp won the blue ribbon in it's class at the Albemarle County Fair, Albemarle County Virginia August 28 - September 2, 2001. It was quite a thrill to see it with a blue ribbon tied to it!!
