Gourd Fest--Part 2

There was more to see at the Gourd Festival last Saturday than just the fine artistic creations. There was entertainment, both inside and outside.





Gourds had been used in clever ways around the fairgrounds.







There was a REALLY OLD camper.



You could purchase pattern and how-to books, as well as supplies.







And, of course, there was food. There were lots of choices, but we chose to get some potato ribbon fries. The potato is put on a spindle or drill bit attached to an electric drill, then turned to slice it in a very thin ribbon. The use both white and sweet potatoes.







We split one huge basket to the white potato chips.



As I promised, here are two collages of more of the gourd artistry. You can click on the photos to enlarge them.

Amazing What These People Do

Saturday, we attended the 11th annual Weurtz Farm Running of the Gourds Festival at the Pinal County Fairgrounds in Casa Grande. It has been three years since we last visited the festival and we were again amazed at the quality and variety of creations that gourd artists produce. This is the raw materials they start with.









Believe me, I know I couldn't do much with one of these gourds. I have tried. But there are olthers that are much more talented. Just look at these.

Paint and wood burning were used to create this tiger.



Add carving to those techniques and some people can make a beautiful eagle.



Fiber and beads were added to this one.



On this one, they used carving and paint and added metallic items.



These are made special on order. The top face is deeply carved, then paint and fabric and small round heads were added to produce this Spanish-influenced storyteller.



I'm not sure what all was done on these gourds but the artist produced a very different look.



On this one, the artist used carving and fiber and either stones or stone shavings for the accents. (I saw stone shavings for sale in one booth.)



Between the two of us, we have almost 100 photos of what we saw at the festival. Don't worry, I won't post all of them, but I will be showing more of what we saw and did there in future posts.

A Gourding We Did Go

Sunday, after church, we drove a few miles to the Wuertz Gourd Fest at the Pinal County Fairgrounds. We attended the event last year for the first time and were so impressed with the fine art work we saw there, we knew we didn't want to miss it this year. It is just amazing what people can do with gourds. They really are just a canvas for all sorts of artist expression.

First we saw this diorama that is made with gourds. I love the Gambel Quail and hope the buzzard doesn't get them.







This artist did fine painting on their gourds.



This project is called "Keeper of the Pots" and was done by the Southwest Gourd Association. Each member made one of the pots sitting at the feet of the Keeper.



This is another project of the Southwest Gourd Association. It is a "quilt" in the form of the State of Arizona.



I think this vase is really beautiful. And I am amazed at how much work was involved. I talked to the artist and she said each hole was drilled and shaped, one at a time. She estimated the project took at least 80 hours to complete.



The bottom gourd has some kind of thread woven over it.



These wreaths are so bright and colorful.



To see more pictures of the gourd festival, check out the post I did on last year's event.

We even bought three gourds to try our own projects. I hope to cut off the top of the large gourd and use the bottom for a fruit bowl. John wants to paint the two small gourds.