Common Ground 202 - Gourd Artist Alretta Skellenger

Meet Alretta Skellenger of Nevis, a Gourd Artist who shows us the entire the process of gourd making.

[handsonwithharrietgreene]

I love your work. I bought gourd seeds from California back to North Carolina 18 yrs ago. Grew my own gourds. I had watched my grandmother grow them in the '50. They made them into dippers for water from the well. I had no idea what I was going to do. 1st year, I made a still art sculpture for table. Beautiful. Enjoyable. Another time, I painted, opened some and placed birds and nest inside as Christmas ornaments. Right now I'm working on one for my Fall harvest decor. I have just a few left
All from a pack of seeds that yielded me 3 seasons of gourds, 18 years ago. Fun. ; )

[irenemoreaux]

What an excellent teacher and artist you are Alretta. Thank you for making this video. I bought a gourd about 15 years ago, not knowing what I was going to do with it. You have inspired me to get it out and create.

[mystijkissler]

Alretta, your personality is down to earth, inviting and simply charming overall. Talented artist, you are for sure.

[grittykitty]

So much of what Alretta said resonated with me: whether or not she is an "artist"; letting the gourd determine what it should be; and putting a piece on the back burner if she was bored with it. I learned so much about tools, etc. from this video and Alretta's work is stunning.

[kathysausen]

These are absolutely beautiful!!!! I love your 1st one!!! Actually I love them all!! 👏👏💕

[CJDe-kxof]

Could not be more impressed and inspired with your down-to-earth, start-to-finish, show-n-tell, personal insight gourd video with beloved Yorkie. You've taught me more with your video than I have learned, seen and felt through any other medium and by flying be the seat of my britches. Thank you Miss Alretta.

[TM-ryhc]

Love this. I was sold when she said she listens to the gourds. I get that!

[colleenmarierouse]

Accidently saw this and OMG Alretta you are an amazing artist. I live in Western Colorado and grew a bunch of Gourds about 10 years ago, I had so many I didn't know what to do with them. Now the ideas are going crazy in my brain. Thank you Thank you for your you tube. I learned a lot and LOVED your designs.

[donnareedrakowiecki]

Alretta don't you think people have no idea how much thought goes into each piece? That turning it over and over in your head. That's what makes us artists we are truly artist. I all do all types from watercolor to stained glasswork and put my heart and soul into each creation.
I have 2 Yorkies myself but since becoming handicapped with Multiple Sclerosis both my art and my babies have been a struggle.My daughters took over much of their care and they got me a cat that doesn't require so much getting up and down after finding it a struggle to walk, I still do some art everyday I can. Your gourds are very good and you should be very proud to be an ARTIST!

[chickie]

Alretta, you are indeed an artist!  You don't realize it, but you are a clairvoyant artist.  You can't "see" the end at the beginning because it has to move through your soul first and it travel through your hands.  When you were talking about what you did, I saw you sitting in a lodge working on pre-Columbian art on fabrics, pottery, and horn.  One of your designs with the women you have done before in that lifetime.  (I am clairvoyant.)I watched your entire video as I wanted to learn more about gourds.  I'm not destined to be a gourd artist like you (eczema on fingertips).  I plan to make a few of them into birdhouses and plan to attached tiny mosaic elements.  I wanted to make a gifts of the few I have.  Thank you for giving your time!  I spend a lot of time alone in the afternoons and you sure made mine!  Chickie

[lornamikkelson]

Very lovely artwork. You have definitely found the right path to making YOU happy and all who admire your art. Thank you for showing.

[rigaflr]

The pear piece made me say Oh WoW! Thoroughly enjoyed this clip, fantastic workshop and beautiful craftsmanship and in such a easy step by step tutorial. Loved all the pieces she made.

[Auriasis]

I love the cut outs! I painted gourds for years after getting laid off and sold them at a farmers market to make ends meet. I enjoyed it a lot.

[jordanezell]

Programs like this make me so nostalgic.

[michiganbogie]

We grew bushel basket gourds this year. They are huge. I suppose they will need more than a year to dry. That gives me time to figure out what to do with them. You are an inspiration. By the way, we were married on Nevis in April 2000 at the Golden Rock. You have a dream life. Hope to visit if we ever get to return.

[johnjude]

Talented Lady
Thanks for showing and such a variety of styles.

[sandyfsmith]

Beautiful work! I"m Impressed with the thought and attention to detail that begins in your head before you begin your magic. Each gourd speaks to you! I also love your little pooch. Your baby fits perfectly on the back of your neck.

[buglover]

Finally a gourd artist that I cld relate to! Especially liked hearing that she too sometimes takes months listening to a gourd to tell her what it will become. I also was glad that she hadn’t found her style. I’ve done several but they’re all so different. I appreciated her advice on the leather dye & the fading. She covers very well all of the small but important tips! I am glad she mentioned that you should normally wear a mask. I became very ill when I cut into a few very thick gourds. The farm I now buy from is also in California. Even had one gourd that was a full inch thick!

[haciendaparaisodelapaz]

I like your work! Congratulations! You are indeed and ARTIST!!

[headinthecloudsart]

I'm just blown away ! It's the first time ever I hear about gord carving exists and it's so beautiful and such beautiful work. Thank you for allowing me to discover this art.