Gourd Art Masks - Unique Gourd Masks
Nedra Denison creates her unique gourd masks with inks dyes, paint, metallic powder, beads, exotic feathers and a lot of imagination
Gourd masks are amazing and slightly reminiscent of the masks seen at Mardi Gras. A gourd friend in Louisiana said add some purple, green and gold and it would be a Mardi Gras mask. I'm not sure who started this fantastic gourd art form but it has been inspiring seeing all the wonderful gourd masks over the last few years.
I started doing gourd art back in 1999 but did not become a gourd head until I retired and moved back to New Mexico in 2007. It was then that I started actively going to gourd festivals and discovering
gourd masks. I also started collecting feathers thinking one day I'm going to be brave and make one. Well, it took me 3 years to get up the nerve and my first mask was so-so. Most say it's great for a first one but definitely not something I was thrilled with. With each mask I learned more and they got better and I got more creative.
One common thing I found when making them is that they are very labor intensive AND the materials really start adding up...the beads, feathers and other embellishments, wow, it's mind boggling.
For years I've watched friends wood carve masks and do gourd masks but I just never had the time to sit down and create one, nor did I have the confidence to try....until now!
Our recent trip back to WA and the Washington Gourd Festival really got me motivated. At the Gourd Festival I met 2 great ladies selling feathers and together we picked out some beautiful feathers with my first gourd mask in mind. Of course rather than start off small, I dove in head first with a large mask. It did not turn out to be a masterpiece but most people tell me it's fantastic, especially for a first mask. So I was happy and it was a start to a new passion!
One thing I discovered when I started making gourd masks is that you really have to let your inhibitions run wild. I think the crazier you get the better the outcome. So, it's been quite an experience letting go, stepping outside the box and letting my hair down. That's the hard part since I don't have any hair to let down ;)
The feathers used in every one of my gourd masks and other gourd projects are real feathers and are not dyed or painted.
For more information on how to clean and maintain the feathers and to see the process in making my gourd masks please go to the main Gourd Mask page.
Copyright Information
All of my artwork is copyright protected. It may not be copied, reproduced, used as a pattern, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the artist.
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"Elektra" As I created the design for this mask it reminded me of a villain out of one of the Marvel superhero comics. As it evolved it makes me think of a flashy super-heroine. The mask is made on a short neck dipper gourd. The face is painted with Adirondack and Memories dye inks and Lumiere metallic acrylic paint for accent. I used some unique and colorful feathers in addition to some gourdgeous hand made dichroic glass with exceptional depth and shimmer. The colors in the face and feathers were used to coordinate with the flaming colors of the hand-made (in the USA) inlaid beads used for the eyes and mouth which really make this mask "pop". Signed by the artist. Finished mask measures 17 h x 15 w Price: $175.00 SOLD |
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"Warrior Queen" This mask has evolved from the moment I sketched the face on paper. It started out one way and ended up another once finished. The mask is done on a short neck dipper gourd. The cheeks were carved and inspired by the lady who redesigned my website. Tina does a lot of doodle art and we have been chatting about it so I experimented doing some doodles with my power carver and liked it so much I used it on the mask. The face is painted with Memories dye inks and Lumiere metallic acrylic paint for accent. The colors in the face and beads coordinate with the feathers to make this mask a beauty. Her eyes and mouth are inlaid with beads and brass tacks go across her brow. Signed by the artist. Finished mask measures 17-1/2 x 15 inches 2nd Place Professional - Mixed Media Belen Art League Show Fall, 2011 Price: $125.00 |
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"Zephyr" This gourd is one from my garden and I cannot tell you exactly what type it is. It was supposed to be a bottle gourd, but the seeds were obviously pollinated with something else. The overall design was sketched and then burned. I laid out the larger feathers and drilled holes. The face was painted with dye inks and gold metallic paint. Turquoise beads were inlaid for the eyes and mouth and a topaz bead inlaid for the mouth. Feathers give Zephyr that finished look...like going to the hairdresser! Signed by the artist. Finished mask measures 15 h x 12 w SOLD |
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"Yuma" Means son of a chief This mask is being done on a dipper gourd. I used Memories dye inks for the majority of the color with an accent of generation green black pearl shimmer around the neck. The eyes were inlaid with a copper free form bead in one eye and an agate cabochon in the other. Neutral toned feathers were used for the headdress. Signed by the artist. Finished mask measures 211/2 h x 22 w SOLD |
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"Nova" Hopi name meaning "Chases Butterflies" This mask is done on a bottle gourd grown in my yard. A variety of medium were used to paint the face including Generation Green Shimmers, Memories dye inks and Jo Sonja paint. The eyes are inlaid with brass eye balls! Some exotic feathers with dramatic colors were used and the colors are carried over into the face. Signed by the artist. Finished mask measures 17 h x 16 w Price: $95.00 |
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"Ayasha" Cheyenne name meaning little one." Signed by the artist. Finished mask measures 17 h x 15 w Price: $95.00 |
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