There has always been three loves in my life- a love of nature, a love of family, and a love of art.  For years I have been able to incorporate all three into a successful existence.  Four years ago I took a leap of faith to transform a career in the construction industry to a life long dream of a full time artist.

The name of my business, Organic Vessels (formally Soggy Bottom Creations) evolved from my love of nature and wildlife. My muse is fed off natures colors, shapes, and shadows.  The same applies to wildlife.  When I study a horse to use for my subject matter for example, I concentrate on proportion, muscle structure, and how light dances off the coat.  When construction a piece on gourds I love how the organic vessel has a transforming quality that varies from canvas.  A two dimensional object (picture) will metamorphosis's to a three dimensional sculpture from wrapping the design on a sphere.  Through carving openings, I create openings for light to dance. Through painting colors and applying shadows, I enhance the depth.  Through both methods new realms are discovered for me.  Nature and wildlife often leaves me a loss for words.  How can words describe such magnificent creations from our Creator.  I recall from my childhood desolate landscapes of North Dakota, snow-covered cornfields in Illinois, and majestic mountain ranges of the Appalachians and Rockie Mountains that inspire me to create to this day. 

My love of family has kept me grounded.  Our home may have moved around the country but I've always known my family is in my heart. My college years where spent primarily in Southern Florida.  Being away from family allowed me to have a self discovery period but also was a difficult time for me. I'm thankful for life's trials and paths because I can now say my life has come full circle.   My husband Tommy and I married in 2004 and I now can say I have roots.  We reside in Guin, Alabama in a small community called Sandy Hollow. Allison and Ryan are my shared children and I'm so proud of them both. My parents are a short distance away in Hamilton Alabama.  It is here I've been able to also meet so many of my distant kin.  My comforts of home now have roots that are allowing my creativity to spread like kudsu.

My love of art has existed from my earliest recollections.   I can remember how art moved me in grade school and the enjoyment I had with friends as we designed spirograph cards and drew prehistoric creatures.  My first experience entering art work to be judged was from 4-H club in Illinois.  My masterpiece was a huge brown bear in caulks.  I believe it was a ribbon winner and my Mom still has it in her private collection.  I feel fortunate to be from a generation that art was in the regular curriculum and not an elective.  Art to me is more than a aesthetic additive, it is a way of thought.  Art enables creative thought on every subject. My art has transformed from Driftwood free form furniture to Gourds over the last four years. Some of my recent pieces involve freedom of speech and protecting our environment.  Through my husbands gift of gourds my canvas has become three dimensional.  The shapes, colors and size have provided such unlimited means for me to create.  I can't stop thinking of the where gourd will take me.  Sketching, carving, painting, sculpting, and researching the next subject matter  is what motivates me everyday.           

Current:

• Member of Alabama Gourd Society since 2007
• Member Northwest Alabama Arts Council, Inc. since 2007
• Member of American Gourd Society since 2008
  

 

I am so thankful for the artist and friends whom I have met at the shows as they have provided me the ability to continue doing what I love.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

2008 Schedule
October 25- Hamilton Fall Fest

2009 Schedule
March 7 & 8 - JBAF (Jerry Brown Art's Festival) - Hamilton, AL
First Saturday in Ma - Guin Mayfest - Guin, AL

Visit me on Merchant's Circle
Link to me on FaceBook!

Visit my BLOG on my Mural Projects
City of Guin
City of Fayette