cyndeenewick.etsy.com



@ Contact Cyndee


2010 Art Shows
• Spring Garden Market
   Kelly Park Historical Park
   April 10 in San Jose
• Spring Guadalupe Gardens
   April 24 in San Jose
• Silicon Valley Open Studios
   Dry Creek Artisans
   876 Dry Creek Rd. in Campbell
   May 1 & 2
• Leiser Gourd Festival
   May 15 & 16 In Knights Landing
• Davis Ranch Gourd Show
   September in Sloughhouse, Ca.
• Allied Arts Harvest Festival
   October in Menlo Park
• Artifactory Holiday Show
   December in Palo Alto

Why Gourds?

I have explored many art mediums over the years, but found most of them too limiting. I tried painting but quickly grew bored with the rectangular, flat surface.  I wanted texture.  I wanted to cut up the canvas into shapes.  I wanted the canvas to be something it wasn't. I wanted something natural, organic and versatile.

In 1996 I saw some simple gourd projects in a craft book.  I could immediately see the potential. The more I learned, the more I knew gourds fit in with most of my major interests, archaeology, mythology, playing music and organic gardening.

Artistically, gourds are versatile.  Most art mediums can be applied to gourds, and techniques such as pyrography, carving and chipping can be used. Gourds are challenging.  Each gourd is unique in shape, size and density.

Gourd art isn't for the perfectionist.  A gourd artist must be flexible and willing to accept surface blemishes and irregular shapes, incorporating these inconsistencies into the work.  Each art piece is unique and can never be duplicated.

I live in California with my husband, 2 large rescue dogs and a cat.  I am active in the community caring for pets, organic gardening, coordinating art show gourd booths, creating newsletters and websites.  I play flute in the Saratoga Community Band.  Every moment is an act of creation.  Why gourds?  Why not?

Acknowledgements
• Campbell Reporter, Triton Museum AvArtFest, 2004
• California Gourd Society, 2006, Carousel Gourd
   Judges Award
   Second Place
• Environmental Birds and Blooms Birdhouse Auction 
  Green Man Birdhouse, Best of Show, 2008