Hard Shell Gourds

Several years ago I began alternating between working on a flat surface (watercolors) and a three dimensional art form (hard shell gourds). The gourds come in many shapes and sizes, each one has its own unique color, patterns and textures. These characteristics help me to decide what I am going to create. It's refreshing to be able pict up a gourd and hold it in my hands. I can then view it from many different angles to find out where I need to go with the design. First I burn the pattern onto the gourd, then I paint it with acrylics. Sometimes I cut the top off and clean out all the seeds and make a lidded container.

I planted the gourd plants near my Olive tree and the vines started to climb up into the top of the tree. It makes it look like the Olive tree is growing the gourds. I just recently picked these and it will be about 6 months before they dry and I can paint on them.
You can reach Donna Larson at
dmlarson50@aol.com
More of Donna's work can be found here:
See All of Donna's Watercolor Paintings
More of Donna's work can be found here:
See All of Donna's Watercolor Paintings