Gourds have been used by humans since 13,000 BCE. One of the first cultivated plants, hard-shelled gourds were initially just tools but as with most of our tools, started to be decorated so that they were both functional and beautiful.
I have been carving and dying gourds since COVID. I was too distracted to keep doing batik in those intense first years, but I needed to keep my hands busy. I love the irregularity of gourds, both shape and coloration. I love how smooth they are and how crisply they carve.
I begin with natural gourds from a gourd farm. To create a vessel, I cut the top off. The inside is filled with desiccated pulp and seeds, which must be scraped out. Then, I sand the inside and top edge. Next, the inside gets a dark dye bath. Sometimes, I’ll also add a resin layer to the inside of gourd, to protect it and add more weight to the finished project and sometimes I’ll leave it untreated.
Next, the exterior gets dye applied. Because of how hard the shell is, I use a leather dye and apply it with cotton balls; it’s very strong. I like the look of darker dyes, because then the carved image has more contrast. After the dye has dried, I pencil on the design and begin carving.
When the carving is complete, I’ll apply a varnish to the gourd, and drill holes around the rim to weave a finished edge with waxed linen.
My gourds have been taking a nautical theme lately, with images of octopus and patterns reminiscent of sea urchin shells. Occasionally, I’ve applied gold leaf that I antiqued with India ink. I would say that I am evolving my vision with this medium.
Neither treated nor untreated gourds should hold liquid or be used for food.