Harvest art

Sunset, Oct, 1998 by Peter O. Whiteley

Hard-shell gourds come in a variety of shapes, from almost neckless baskets or balls, to more bulbous, upright-bottle types with constricted waists, to the "dipper" gourd with a round head at the end of a long, slender stem. You might find dried gourds at a florists' supply or craft store, or you can order them from one of the sources listed in the box at left. Prices, which vary with diameter and neck length, run from about 50 cents to more than $25, plus shipping.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS

* Dried gourds

* Steel wool (or bleach and a copper or plastic scouring pad)

* Handsaw such as an X-Acto saw, keyhole saw, hacksaw (with holder that mounts a blade at one end), or Japanese-style saw

* Skidproof pad or foam

* Scraper such as a serrated-edge spoon, melon bailer, plastic pot scaper, or metal scouring pad

* Sandpaper

* Dust mask

* Sticky-backed paper (optional)

* Paste shoe polish

* Cotton rag and soft-bristle brush

* X-Acto knife

PREPARING THE GOURD

Clean gourds have a creamy tan color. A blotchy, gray residue may be left by a mold that builds up as the gourd dries. If the mold layer is thin, you can remove it with steel wool. Otherwise, immerse the gourd for at least 15 minutes in water that contains a small amount of bleach, then scrub with a copper or plastic scouring pad.

CUTTING AND POLISHING

(A) To cut off the top of the gourd, use a small handsaw with a thin blade and fine teeth. We used a Japanese-style saw from Takagi Tools in Wilmington, California (800/891-7855). A straight, flat cut is the easiest to make, but an inward-angled, wavy cut adds artistic flair and holds the lid in place. Work on a flat surface with a skidproof pad.

(B) A dried gourd contains seeds and a paperlike pulp. Remove this material by scraping the interior walls dean. Sand rim and interior smooth (wear mask).

(C) To add simple geometric patterns, apply shapes from sticky-backed paper over an unfinished or light-colored base.

(D) Apply one or two coats of polish - use soft, paste shoe polishes, available in a wide range of colors at shoe repair stores - to the stickered or plain exterior with a cotton rag, and buff with a soft-bristle brush. The color will appear darker if you apply it to the softer, more absorbent rim. Darker tones - cordovan and browns - produce the most dramatic but natural results.

(E) Remove the stickers by gently lifting them off with the tip of an X-Acto knife.

(F) Polish and buff one more time.

OPTIONS

* Add a second or third color of polish. Usually a dark tone works best over a light undercoat, but some artists add a gold polish over a dark base to give a muted metallic highlight.

* Draw on the surface with ink or paint pens, then polish over the drawings to mute the color.

Sources

Gourds can be purchased from the following sources. Call for information on prices and shipping.

Tree Mover Tree and Gourd Farm; (805) 947-7121

Pumpkin & Gourd Farm; (805) 238-0624

Welburn Gourd Farm; (760) 728-4271

Zittel Farms; (916) 989-2633