Producing gourd art has become my undying passion. I began this long creation journey 30+ years ago first loom weaving, then weaving baskets and teaching basket weaving. I have always loved to create with my hands. I was exposed to gourds in the basket world and began to build an interest in their creative potential. I have been producing gourd art for about 12 years and full-time for the last 7 years after retirement from 27 years with the state of Texas. The tactile qualities and visual beauty of the materials I use inspire me every day. To create these artful pieces, I begin with the natural gourd and extensively clean, carve, inlay, wood burn, paint and weave on them. I also now use the alcohol-based inks not only on my gourds but on 2-d paintings as well. I love the fluid-like ethereal feeling these inks produce on both substrates. These days, I am most always lost inside of my imagination thinking about my next gourd art creation or painting.