I come across a fair amount of gourd art in my research for Daily Art Muse but I have never seen gourd sculptures like Patricia Boyd’s.
[nonmember]This archived post is for Members Only. Click here to become a member or to get a one day pass. If you are a member, please login to view the post. [/nonmember] [private_archives]These richly detailed, vividly colored figures tell the stories of life on the plains of Kenya and each one has an energy and life force that is palpable.
A Little Day Work
Tribal Dancing
Kindred Spirits II
Beautifully crafted, heads are sculpted from paper clay and body details are carved, dyed and burned into the gourd. Boyd recently retired after a 35 year career as a nurse and physician’s assistant, but continues to call upon her knowledge of the human body when making art. The California artist chooses misshapen, imperfect gourds, often allowing the flaws to become a feature in the sculpt: a small bulge in one becomes the belly button on a pregnant woman, a dent in another highlights the bottom of a child hugging her mother. There are nine pages of images in her portfolio, including new work here and here.
Canteen Gourd With Thumb Piano
Dancing In The Spirit
Women of Struggle
“I see gourds like individual fingerprints. As earth’s original vessels, each grows in its own unique form. I want my work to tell a story and speak to your heart. I don’t look for the perfect shapes when shopping for gourds, I see a potential in almost every gourd because there is so much you can do as you allow your imagination to be free.” Patricia Boyd
Spirit of L.A.
Jus’ Gotta Praise Him
Primitive Strings
Read an article about Boyd here. [/private_archives]
These pieces are absolutely fantastic.
Oh wow! I love getting a glimpse into someone else’s imagination as we can with these. But the way she breathes life into her work is beyond me! Beautiful!
Fabulous pairing of what she is offered and how she responds, as if there is no breath between nature’s gesture and the artist’s response. There’s no hesitation between the infinite and spontaneous and the immediate vitality of her interpretation. Made with so much time and effort, you can yet see that all her time is spent in love. An inspiration to us all to see past the obvious (an oddly shaped gourd) and feel the divine laughing and calling us to the dance. Thank you Susan!
all I can say is ~Wow~
Thank you for all the gorgeousness and inspiration I find here everyday….
What a lovely and stunning find Susan, thank you for the beautiful new site and the continuous feed of inspiration.
Incredible, marvelous and inspiring art. Thank you
THANK YOU,
Wow! What great, great talent! IF you visit her website, you see that piece after piece has been sold, and justifiably so. She has such a great sense of style and rhthym, and brings fine sensitivity to an ordinary gourd. Great!
These pieces are incredible – they have so much life in them – quite breathtaking!
extraordinary
your work is amazing!
Patricia Boyd brings life, music, color and gesture to her wonderfully expressive works. There is an understanding of movement and design crafted into each lyrical work… and she’s in my (new) neighborhood. Thanks, Susan, for your discerning eye and to Patricia for her joyous Art.
great work. Keep up the good work.
I have always loved Pat’s work. I am a proud owner of one of her pieces.
It is good to see some of her latest work.
Keep it up Pat!
These are just amazing – - you are my favorite gourd artist. I am the proud owner of one of your pieces – - It is the favorite in my collection.
I love the richness of design and the fluid movement of these figures. Stunning! Thank you for sharing.
As a gourd sculpture artist***I always admire Patricia Boyd and full respect to her wonderful creative art****
They look so alive, you could almost hear them talk to you. She did a fantastic job.
I am amazed with your talent these are so impressive.
Lust… that is all I am having right now. Gourd lust.
[...] week’s post about Patricia Boyd’s gourd figures led me to Florida’s Mindy Hawkins. The Jacksonville resident loves to hunt for gourds with [...]