More gourds

New Gourds

Here are some more recent gourds I've done.

Ruts

This piece has been more about the process than the end result. I’m not sure it’s done.

I was reading a book called sacred parenting, talking about how parenting can teach and refine our character. It was talking about how kids watch us, and they mimic us. I’ve heard my kids repeat back things I’ve said, both good and the not so good. We heavily influence the next direction. The author talked about how that influence is a motivation for us to continue to develop and grow in character.

This phrase really caught my imagination: “Our children frequently follow the ruts we lay down.” Usually when I think of getting in a rut it’s not a positive thing, but a bad habit. I don’t want my children to follow those. He uses the verses 2 Corin 7:1 and 2 Peter 1:5-7 that talk about growing in purity and other positive aspects. Those are the ruts I hope to lay down and be followed in by my kids.

So the painting, I started with an image of a field with, you guessed it ruts! The birds (yes, there are two, one is mostly obscured in the upper left corner) represent being able to fly and be free….as a bird.) And the keys and lock echo that thought of having the power, through Christ, to be set free, of hope.

I scanned the passages from my bible and printed them out and pasted them in the sky and then used several layers of tissue paper, glue, varnish, paint and wax. In the layers are the words grow in faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. (From the passage in 2 Peter 1)

Loved the process, putting down layers of thoughts. My first time using wax, and I’d like to use it again.