The Dreaming Gourd Book
A re-creation myth for our times. When a sisterhood of deities leave their celestial homes to find out why Earth’s light has gone out, they discover that her inhabitants have made such a mess of things that they’ve retreated to their former caves in shame and fear. The goddesses resolve to set things right, each believing they have the one and only solution to rescue the little blue planet.
When one of the goddesses chooses to use her intuition instead of her ego to help the Earth, she is chastised by the others for being a dreamer with no sense. Hurt but undeterred, she resolves to trust herself and the wisdom of the planet she loves so much. By tuning into the signs and various tools given to her from Earth herself, she makes an incredible discovery that changes everything and brings each element she’s gathered along the way together for a higher purpose.
A story about empathy, following one’s heart, and never taking the simple things for granted, The Dreaming Gourd reminds us that no one can go it alone and that dreams are what make life so very precious. It’s a call to action for anyone who feels lost or small in this great big world: everyone is needed, and together we can accomplish anything.
The Dreaming Gourd will be published by Top Reads Publishing in 2023 as a special edition hardcover.
A re-creation myth for our times. When a sisterhood of deities leave their celestial homes to find out why Earth’s light has gone out, they discover that her inhabitants have made such a mess of things that they’ve retreated to their former caves in shame and fear. The goddesses resolve to set things right, each believing they have the one and only solution to rescue the little blue planet.
When one of the goddesses chooses to use her intuition instead of her ego to help the earth, she is chastised by the others for being a dreamer with no sense. Hurt but undeterred, she resolves to trust herself and the wisdom of the planet she loves so much. By tuning into the signs and various tools given to her from Earth herself, she makes an incredible discovery that changes everything and brings each element she’s gathered along the way together for a higher purpose.
A story about empathy, following one’s heart, and never taking the simple things for granted, The Dreaming Gourd reminds us that no one can go it alone and that dreams are what make life so very precious. It’s a call to action for anyone who feels lost or small in this great big world: everyone is needed, and together we can accomplish anything.
The Dreaming Gourd will be published by Top Reads Publishing
in 2023 as a special edition hardcover.
Art Inspired by or Incorporating Gourds
Untitled
A vessel made using a gourd and pine needles and waxed linen. I love that all the materials are natural and the stitching process is so meditative. More of these will be coming in the future.
Arrival
(Gourd, Encaustic, Made Paper, Shellac) My face, cast in flax and mounted on a long handled gourd. I am flying and enjoying it!
Lactation
(gourd, kozo, gourd seeds, dye, twine, found objects. 14x14x9") I created this series over the span of about a year. There was no exact intent in mind. All the pieces were created independently of one another with no concept of "I am creating a series". It was after about 6 pieces were complete, all unnamed at that point, that I realized the connection. It was then that names appeared. Most pieces like this one need no further explanation beyond its inclusion in this series and its given title.
Copulation
(gourds, found and made papers, dye, encaustic, acrylic) After some flirtation, the embracing and copulation ensues.
Attraction
(gourd, encaustic, carving, dye. 16x17x16") Red is the color of attraction in both the human and plant worlds. See other images in this series for additional information on its creation.
Gestation
(gourd, flax, kozo encaustic, seeds, cochineal dye. 15x9x5") All the pieces in this series were created independently of one another with no concept of "I am creating a series". It was after about 3 pieces were complete, most yet unnamed, that I realized the connection. It was then that all the names appeared. Read More
Guardian Angel
(gourd, flax, linen and kozo, hardware cloth, beads - 2.5' x 1.5' x 8") I attend a workshop on working with Kozo which lead me to take workshops at the Womens Studio Workshop in Kingston, NY. This piece appeared as if by magic from the dreamtime. She is my Guardian Angel and is NFS.
With A Little Help From My Friends
(gourd, paint, dye, pyrography - 14 x 12 x 5") A collaboration with a friend and iron sculptor Gregg Leavitt, Berks, Co. PA. NFS
Reception
(gourd, encaustic, pyrography, dye. 15x5x9") See some others in this series for a more detailed story of creating the Feminine Principle series.
Anansi
(Gourds, Kozo, cast paper, Iron) Anansai the spider weaving its story web. 4' x 2' x 1'. SOLD
Dreaming Gourd Book Cover
Surprise and Delight
(gourd, paper mache', found objects, acrylic) I got into the mask-making thing and this has always been a favorite. SOLD
Muse
(sumi Ink, collage mobile - 3' x 6' x 2" ) - This is the image on my home page. And yes, that is me in the picture. My back is to the camera. That was not intended by me but perceived by the photographer as a good representation of my "not sure I wanted to be seen" vibe. The gourd is my muse as must be apparent by viewing this websit. This piece is quite large and it is a mobile. There is quite a story around its creation as there is most pieces of artwork created by any artist!
They Went Thata’ Way
(gourds, made flax paper, encaustic, found objects - 2.5' x 9" x 6") One of several masks that were used during the Lunar Opera performance in NYC. The opera was composed by Pauline Oliveros and performed in Lincoln Square and around its environs. It was such a big happening! I was delighted to be part of it. SOLD
Someone To Watch Over Me
(gourds, Sumi Ink, Collaged Paper, Plant Material - 6' x 4'x 1' ) The face removes from the body to reveal the expression under it. Its most memorable use was for the annual Dream Festival held every October at the Deep Listening Gallery in Kingston, NY. The festival is an overnight sleep over and dream share. This piece was there for protection of all the sleeping souls.
Evolution
(gourd, flax, encaustic, found objects. 24x 24x9") - This piece was a challenge to name. Evolution of the soul via birth - the natural outcome of the rest of the activities that the series is comprised of. Resurrection is often associated with the cross. I basically liked the way those two pieces of wood looked and created a natural cross and the gourd hung there "just so". The rest of my contemplation about just what it was saying and what to call it came after that visual fact. I created this series over the span of about a year. There was no exact intent in mind. All the pieces were created independently of one another with no concept of "I am creating a series". It was after about 6 pieces were complete, all unnamed at that point, that I realized the connection. It was then that names appeared. Read More
process pic – installation of Portal
A shot of this piece being installed at The Wind Through the Trees sculpture exhibition, The Jenikns Arboretum , Devon, PA.
