The Gourd Ladies by Caela Conn Tyler

"The Gourd Ladies" evolved from the gourd artistry of Robert Rivera, a prominent New Mexican artist. Mr. Rivera has done a series of women, created from gourds that are treated with a shiny charcoal black finish, similar to a San Ilfisando pot. The ladies feature brightly painted kachina-like faces, real hair, and several bead necklaces each. I have always admired Mr. Rivera’s work.

I adapted the artist’s approach, using a significant amount of neutrally hued threads on a matching neutral canvas background. Of course, I couldn’t leave well enough alone – I added color to the body of each lady – each containing a color symbolic or reminiscent of the southwest. The color is "puddle" at the bottom of each doll and reappears in the face. The upper portion of the dolls remains solely neutral as a backdrop for the bead and fetish necklace(s).

The design lines are purposely simple, yet vary among the three ladies, in an attempt to reinforce and possibly exaggerate each body type. In fact, I came to look upon the threesome as a southwest rendition of the three fairies in "Sleeping Beauty" – remember tall Flora, pear-shaped Fauna, and short, rotund Merriweather? Although several different stitches are used on each doll, all are closely related. For example, the tall striped design includes oblique patterns – all featuring exposed canvas and somewhat dramatic.

Although this comment is not usually included in an "artist’s statement", "The Gourd Ladies" were pure fun! Since I stitched the faces first, each gal watched me as I created her. The whole process flowed so smoothly and was so relaxing, it seemed to be one of those projects that was just meant to be.