Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Swanson.
Grace, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
My interest in gourds began as a small child, born and raised in Nigeria. The Nigerian people use gourds for everything from storing food to spoons to holding cosmetics. When I saw a class on gourd art offered by San Diego Botanic Garden, I decided to give it a try. The feel and smell of the burning gourd just took me “home.” I was hooked.
My career was as a graphic designer working for magazines and advertising agencies. When I took early retirement, I started to paint. I painted in watercolor and acrylic for many, many years and sold through galleries and at outdoor shows — until I discovered gourds. I have now stopped painting entirely, pursuing my obsession with gourd art.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I purchase my gourds from Welburn Gourd Farm just north of Fallbrook — uncleaned and uncut. First I soak and scrub farm dirt and the mold off of the gourds. Then I look at each gourd carefully for any flaws or cracks. Each gourd has its own personality, and that often dictates what design I will burn into the gourd and whether it will stay whole or become an opened vessel. The mold that forms on the gourds makes patterns that can be used or disregarded depending on the design. Sometimes I have a very definite design in mind when I begin, and sometimes I make it up as I go along. Some gourds may take as little as two or three hours to complete. Others may take days or weeks.
The gourds are cut, dremeled, sanded, dyed, carved, painted, beaded and finished with either gourd wax or an acrylic spray. The surface of a good quality gourd is almost like wood. The difference being that there is an outer “skin” that is smooth. Dyes and paint can be wiped off. Beneath this skin is a softer flesh that absorbs the dye and paint very readily and can create very interesting effects.
Gourds are grown in many shapes and sizes ranging from tiny “jewelry” gourds to very large ones used as drums. Even though no two gourds are the exact shape and are never perfectly round or symmetrical, there are some basic shape including apple, bottle, canteen, pear, snake and so on.
Throughout history, gourds have been utilitarian. They have been used as spoons, bowls, drums, and storage containers for water, wine, grain, etc. Some of Grace’s gourds may serve a function as vessels and bowls. However, most of Swanson’s designs are meant to be appreciated for its own sake. Gourds can easily slip into the area of craft — painted to look like snowmen, Santas, and little animals — or made into lamps and bird houses. This, however, does not appeal to her. She prefers to see how elegant, simple and sophisticated the lowly gourd can become.
Gourds have taken over my life. My brushes, paints, and canvas have been pushed to one side as I explore the wonderfully tactile, three-dimensional world of gourds. My gourds are sold through the Off Track Gallery located at 937 South Coast Highway 101, Suite C-103 (behind Starbucks), downtown Encinitas, CA 92024. All current gourds available for purchase may be viewed at GourdsByGrace.com. Email swanson121@cox.net for prices and more information.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
My advice for other artists is to keep your work area always set up. If you have 10 minutes or 10 hours you are “good to go.” I hear of so many artists who don’t have space to pursue their artwork and need to set up each time. This makes them put off their work because the setting up is too daunting.
The other piece of advice is that if, as an artist, you hit a “dry spell” and are not sure what to paint or produce — go take a class. It will re-spark your energy. Just learning something new (you always will) and being around other artists is often the jolt that you need to keep going.
I cannot think of anything I wished I had learned earlier!
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My gourds are sold through the Off Track Gallery located at 937 South Coast Highway 101, Suite C-103 (behind Starbucks), downtown Encinitas, CA 92024. All current gourds available for purchase may be viewed at GourdsByGrace.com. Email swanson121@cox.net for prices and more information.
Contact Info:
- Address: GourdsByGrace.com
swanson121@cox.net
facebook.com/grace.a.swanson
Image Credit:
Grace Swanson
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