A love of nature inspires artist John Gibson to take gourds "right off the vine" and turn them into one-of-a-kind creations. "Gourd art is a great avenue for creativity," says Gibson. The gourds are a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, as are pumpkins, watermelons and cucumbers. After the gourds have dried all winter, the insides are completely cleaned and painted. With reasonable care, they will last a lifetime, although some fading can occur if placed in direct sunlight. John recommends wiping his pieces with a soft cloth to clean them.
"My designs are etched and wood-burned into the gourds, and then painted with leather dyes. I decorate them with any combination of bone, quills, feathers, beads, antler, silver and stone. Each piece is balanced to compensate for the shape of the design.
"Gourd art is a way I show respect for the earth and nature," explains Gibson, adding that gourds have been used for utilitarian purposes since prehistoric times. "I like the idea of taking something produced by nature and turning it into a unique piece. I want each of my gourds to stand as a work of art on its own."
Pointing to an elaborate gourd with an intricate design, Gibson tells of its Kachina influence – ancestral beings of the Hopi Indian tribe. He also turns gourds into masks inspired by the Kachinas. The masks come in a variety of sizes and colors and are adorned with feathers. Gibson's gourds reflecting Plains Indian designs have been inspired by visits to the central regions of the United States. "When I work with a Native American design, I try to use materials related to that tribe or region," explained Gibson.
Gibson was born and raised in Magee, Mississippi. His educational background at the University of Mississippi did not prepare him to be a gourd artist. "I taught myself to do my art," he said, explaining that it developed from a hobby he pursued while working in retail management, outside sales, and social work. "I started this as a hobby and used it as a release because this is where I could feel like I was doing something worthwhile. Now it’s a serious business. A person appreciating what I do is the greatest reward for creating my art, " Gibson commented. "When someone takes one of my gourds home, I want them to know that it is a one-of-a-kind piece that hopefully gives them the freedom from thinking about the fast-paced, computer chip world that we live in."