Meet Our Featured Artist
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Introducing Marilyn Williams
Our Featured Artist for the winter 2024 issue was Marilyn Williams from Ohio. Her winning entry for the theme Land Critters, a Monkey, is actually the 2nd iteration of this project, undertaken after learning to use a Dremel for carving, and Apoxie Sculpt for the facial features. It’s clear that Marilyn’s projects continue to evolve as she incorporates new techniques, materials, and ideas. Marilyn’s Williams’s Gourd Story in Her Own Words "My hobbies are sewing, soap making using slices from a luffa gourd, paper crafting and gourd crafting. I have always loved making things, including noise (let’s call it “music”), a mess, or mistakes. Ok, I don’t love that last one but I do make a lot. I am 73 and live in Ohio. My first encounter with gourd art was probably around 25 years ago. Someone gave my boss an intriguing gourd rattle that had The Ohio State logo painted on it. My interest was also sparked when I saw a gourd artist featured on The Carol Duval Show, a wonderful craft show that originated in 1994. Some years later I hunted for information about gourd crafting and found Bonnie Gibson’s book, Gourds with a Southwestern Motif. From there it was Game On! So many techniques, and so many different things to make. Years later I can still find inspiration there. My first attempt at gourd crafting was a lidded, wood burned bowl. When I showed it to my step dad he held it and looked it over and his face lit up. He looked at me and said, “You’re an artist!” My heart grew 5 sizes that day! He’s been gone for years now, but that reaction continues to warm my heart. These days I look forward to the encouragement and support I receive from my son and daughter. They are proud that their mama’s Monkey won 1st Place in the Gourd Crafting Contest in Fall 2024. Note: I also earned 2nd Place in the Gourd Crafting Contest in Summer 2023 for my Mixed Media Goat. I haven’t had any formal art education, but I can’t say I’m self-taught either. My teachers have been people like Bonnie who publish wonderful books, and The Gourd Magazine that has taught me so much about techniques and supplies, along with the inspiration of looking at other people’s work. Inspiration can come from anywhere. I made gourd lamps by tracing leaves that I picked up while walking my dogs. The lamp is about 32“ high from table to top of shade. I like the natural color and imperfections of the gourd for the leaves. Every morning as I have breakfast and read the paper in my sunroom I can see a dragon head very clearly in the branches and needles of a pine tree in my yard. One day I hope to recreate him from gourds. At one time I experimented with selling gourds but I hated the bookkeeping required for tax purposes, so I stopped. Gourd crafting is my hobby. If I take money for it, it’s a job, and that can suck the fun right out of it. My advice to anyone who wants to try gourd crafting is to just try it and be patient with yourself. As with learning any skill, you will improve over time. The monkey that won first place this year was not my first try. Years ago I made the monkey on the left. I didn’t try to shape the gourd with grinding and sanding, and I used just a little Quikwood for features. The Gourd Magazine taught me to use the Dremel carver and Apoxie Sculpt which led to my prize-winning Monkey. I don’t do any kind of social media. To see my gourds you must be invited to my home. The Gourd Magazine readers have now been guests in my home! There are many more gourds to see here. I used to tell my mom that her quilting kept her out of the bars and off the streets. Gourd crafting has done the same for me. So far… Photos and Captions
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