Arts and crafts have been a big part of Don's life since his teens, when he began working on Native American feather and bead work, and interest that has continued up to the present.
In the 80's and 90's, Don undertook working with stained glass, using both leaded and copper foil. Once he'd give away enough of his stained glass pieces to cover windows and other hanging spaces in the homes of his friends and family, he'd set aside his tools, latched the glass chest, and sought another art form. If someday we find ourselves with blank walls and windows, perhaps he will revisit stained glass.
When Don announced to his wife one morning about three years ago that he'd decided he wanted to learn to do gourd art, she responded by asking, "Are you out of yours??" Once she'd seen the variety of gourd work done by others, however, she began sharing in Don's projects, assisting with color selection, keeping her eyes open for promising subjects, and critiquing as Don's designs evolve.
Don has also tried his hand at weaving baskets, and it felt natural to him, he is now looking for ways to work weaving into gourds.
Gourd art is fun hobby -- one Don would recommend to anyone who is looking for a gratifying, creative challenge. For Don, a big part of the pleasure in working in the two media has been in meeting the artists themselves, who have been very gracious in sharing their knowledge. "Gourdies" and weavers are good folks.
