The Meandering Gourd - Marilyn Peterie

Marilyn Peterie was raised in Independence, Missouri, point of origin for the historic Santa Fe, California and Oregon Trails. She grew up with gourd birdhouses hanging in every tree of her family's property. These were not masterfully designed and decorated gourds as she now creates, but dried gourds with a simple hole cut out by her father. There was no "ah-ha" artist inspiration or revelation in seeing any gourd until the summer of 2000.

"It was the summer of 2000 when I was touring Toh-atin Gallery in Durango, Colorado. A striking pottering bowl caught my eye. I lifted it and was startled, it felt weightless. This was my first introduction to a gourd bowl. I instantly had a desire to learn and master this extraordinary, yet functional form of art."

Since 2000, Marilyn has driven hundreds of miles and has found herself standing in fields of gourds searching out just the right ones. Interesting shapes and sizes with smooth, thick skin that seem to take on the characteristics of possible lamp, bowl, mask and vessel designs.

"Sometimes a gourd sits on the shelf for months before I can see exactly what it was intended to become. I then pencil a design. I'm inspired by designs in nature, wildlife and the Native American and Southwestern cultures."

Marilyn uses the technique of pyrography to burn the design into the gourd. If she decides to do an inlay she will carve out the design to create a cavity to embellish with crushed turquoise, corral, lapis or malachite.

"It takes up to 12 hours for an inlay to cure. Sometimes I'm so excited the next morning that I will had straight to my studio to start sanding the inlay, using five grades of sandpaper, before buffing it to a high shine."

Marilyn uses leather dyes, acrylic paints, semi-precious stones, pine needles & other natural elements in her gourd designs which are often mistaken for beautiful pottery. At times she will design and replace the top of the gourd for a lid or finish the rim with leather and other natural elements.

"No matter what inspires my gourd design, in the end, there is always that certain element of awe and surprise. I am thankful that God has given me this artistic expression of His creations. The glory belongs to Him!"

The Meandering Gourd
Marilyn Peterie
4133 E. Serenade St.
Springfield, MO 65807
417-887-1724
e-mail The Meandering Gourd



		Marilyn Peterie was raised in Independence, Missouri, point of origin for the historic Santa Fe, California and Oregon Trails. She grew up with gourd birdhouses hanging in every tree of her family's property. These were not masterfully designed and decorated gourds as she now creates, but dried gourds with a simple hole cut out by her father. There was no "ah-ha" artist inspiration or revelation in seeing any gourd until the summer of 2000. "It was the summer of 2000 when I was touring Toh-atin Gallery in Durango, Colorado. A striking pottering bowl caught my eye. I lifted it and was startled, it felt weightless. This was my first introduction to a gourd bowl. I instantly had a desire to learn and master this extraordinary, yet functional form of art." Since 2000, Marilyn has driven hundreds of miles and has found herself standing in fields of gourds searching out just the right ones. Interesting shapes and sizes with smooth, thick skin that seem to take on the characteristics of possible lamp, bowl, mask and vessel designs. "Sometimes a gourd sits on the shelf for months before I can see exactly what it was intended to become. I then pencil a design. I'm inspired by designs in nature, wildlife and the Native American and Southwestern cultures." Marilyn uses the technique of pyrography to burn the design into the gourd. If she decides to do an inlay she will carve out the design to create a cavity to embellish with crushed turquoise, corral, lapis or malachite. "It takes up to 12 hours for an inlay to cure. Sometimes I'm so excited the next morning that I will had straight to my studio to start sanding the inlay, using five grades of sandpaper, before buffing it to a high shine." Marilyn uses leather dyes, acrylic paints, semi-precious stones, pine needles & other natural elements in her gourd designs which are often mistaken for beautiful pottery. At times she will design and replace the top of the gourd for a lid or finish the rim with leather and other natural elements. "No matter what inspires my gourd design, in the end, there is always that certain element of awe and surprise. I am thankful that God has given me this artistic expression of His creations. The glory belongs to Him!" The Meandering Gourd Marilyn Peterie 4133 E. Serenade St. Springfield, MO 65807 417-887-1724 e-mail The Meandering Gourd Home \| Artisans \| Membership \| News \| Contact \| Featured Craftsman \| Mission \| Links \| Members Only
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