October 7, 2005 interview in the Union newspaper...

What is your career and your current job title?
I have 2 passions that I have made careers. I am a Clinical Hypnotherapist and a Gourd Artist.

Describe in a sentence or two your art.
I design on "Nature's Canvas" the hard shelled gourd using all types of techniques that include pyroengraving, carving, acrylics, dyes, watercolor, weaving and pine needle coiling.

How long have you been working in this discipline?
for about 8 years. I have been teaching the "expand your creativity with gourds" classes in Nevada City and Grass Valley for 5 years.

Why do you do it?
Since I have discovered gourds I cannot not do it. The excitement and creativity process starts when I go to a gourd farm or the fields and select my gourds. As "nature's canvas" they lend themselves to so many techniques that there is always something new to experiment with. Each gourd tells me what it wants to become and the joy is watching it evolve. I think they create themselves and therein lies the addiction.

What do you hope to accomplish?
I have been expanding my abilities and efforts continuously to bring my level of creativity and design to that of Art. Traditionally gourds have been classified as Crafts. This year I entered a gourd in the Professional Division of the Fine Arts category in the Nevada County Fair and was awarded a first place so I think I am breaking the barriers. I am currently studying sculpture to enable me to create ethnic figures using clay and gourds.

Do you create your art with an exact message you want the viewer to receive and if yes, what is that message?
My art is more a tribute to the history and culture of the Sierra Nevada Foothills than a message. My designs include Chinese calligraphy to honor the spirit of our early Chinese miners, Native American to remind us of their art and spirituality and Vines and Leaves to celebrate our growing wine regions and of course our wonderful autumns.

Where do you want to be with your art, in terms of part time versus full-time status, art positions and where your works are seen?

I would like the luxury of working on my art full time including taking more training from the many talented teachers in our area. I would like to have my work shown in local galleries, high end shops and Northern California Wineries.

What kind of special training did you take? I have traveled to many places to take classes. When I first became interested is was difficult to find information, supplies and classes so my first classes where at The Riverside Museum of Art and the Southwest Museum of Art both in Southern California. I have a minor in art from California State University at Los Angeles.

What's your favorite part of your endeavors? I love the selection of my canvas and when the creativity flows freely allowing the gourds to create themselves.

What's your least favorite part of your endeavors? Cleaning the mud and mold off the gourds and cleaning the insides out. I have become very allergic to molds and fibers and have to wear a respirator to do this part of the process.

How many hours a day, or more appropriate, a week, do you spend on your work?

It depends. When the creative urge flows I flow with it. If it doesn't I work in the garden or focus on my Hypnotherapy practice and the "Sugar Free" program I am developing to help eliminate that addiction in our community.

Do you consider it hard work and could anyone do it?
I teach classes because I feel anyone can achieve beautiful results and enjoy this creative process. The art itself is pure joy and fun, the hard work comes when you set up and take down shows or the continual effort to market the work.

Any other comments you'd like to include?
I will be showing my Creative Gourd Designs in the upcoming Studio Tour, Oct. 8th and 9th and the 15th and 16th, and am part of the Open Studios Tour Interview Series being shown on NCTV. I will be contributing 10% of my gourd sales at the Studio Tour to the Friendship Club to go toward their art and cultural programs and will have a gourd for auction at the Open Studios Tour Preview Night. The proceeds of this sale will benefit both NCTV and the Center for the Arts. I am also part of the Banner Mountain Artisans Tour and Sale to be held on Nov. 5th and 6th (2005).