EVENTS & CLASSES
Four 2020 Summer Classes
Begin July 28 Details Below
New Class Schedules
Mini Masks & Wall Hangings
July 28, 29, 31. 9-11 AM $135
Make a beautiful all season wreath or door hanging with a gourd mini mask focal point. Grapevine bases and berry sprays will form the base of the wreath along with any other dried plant materials or ribbon students wish to bring and incorporate. Participants in this class will learn to use Apoxie Sculpt, a two part clay material perfect for making permanent enhancements and decorative details and for connecting the various parts of your piece.
Mosaic Glaze & Painting
August 4, 5, 7. 9-11 AM $125
Create a painting on your gourd or learn to 'finish' it with a feather smooth polish called "Mosaic Glaze" (see bowl above). The process involved applying layers of brilliant multimedia paints, dyes, and pigment powders and sealer in a special series of steps to achieve the stunning mosaic like finish. Choose a cleaned, medium size Welburn gourd from a variety of shapes. Essential tools and all other supplies are provided.
Half-Pint Haciendas
August 11, 12, 14. 9-11 AM $125
Use colorful paints, clay, and an exotic gourd to design a unique Sonoran bird home for one of your favorite 'half-pint' feathered friends. Simple hanging hooks will be provided. You are also welcome to bring your own hanging mechanism or pole to use if you prefer. Choose your gourd from a huge array of shapes and sizes just perfect for a brand new avian family. Or just enjoy your creation as a decoration for your own home!
Burning & Leafing
August 18, 19, 21. 9-11 AM $125
Learn to use a variety of Pyrographic hot tools to draw designs and/or pictures on your gourd. Use templates, tracings or free hand sketches for the design and fill your positive and negative spaces with ink dyes, paints, and precious metal leafing. In the example on the left the rocks, ground and plants are done with ink dyes, the sky is a metallic acrylic paint and the moon and coyote are a variegated copper leafing material. Several medium gloss sealer coats protect the entire finished work.
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Independent Project: By Appointment
This is a unique opportunity to design and execute an advanced gourd project in consultation with an experienced artist. I will work with you, one on one, over 8 hours of studio time (arranged at our mutual convenience) to make a beautiful piece of art work.
Class Fee will depend on your gourd's size, your project's scope, your level of skill and experience, and the overall time required for completion of your piece.
Several previously completed Independent Projects are posted on the Student Experiences page. $150-$200
Class Reservations
Your place in class will be reserved as soon as your registration (fee & signed waver) is received and you will receive a written confirmation of this. Because classes fill up quickly and are very small (6 students max) your reservation is not refundable unless you are able to provide a replacement. You may drop your forms & fee off in the lock box on the enclosed front foyer of my home or they can be mailed. The goal of class is to create something original and beautiful and to become familiar with new skills that can be used in gourding. Classes will be fun as well as educational.
Please be aware that 'gourding' can be pretty messy so old clothes or a smock is advised. Brushes will be provided but
a few inexpensive, fine tipped brushes (size 00, a size 4 or 6 and a 2" flat brush) are helpful and new or fresh ones are nice to have if you care to bring your own. Brushes suitable for acrylics are best. A couple of small disposable paint palates are useful. Flat deli type container lids work well.
Please feel free to email any questions or concerns about the class you are interested in taking. Email:
