Comments and Questions
Over the years I have received questions about my art and the creative process. I don't have a problem with sharing. As far as I'm concerned, we all have the ability to create a masterpiece, whether it be painting a landscape, cooking a favorite pie, writing a winning proposal or rearing a beautiful child. I could explain in minute detail every technical step I take, but in the end it's the lifetime of experiences which gives a piece, as Mom calls is, it's "yutza-putza".

I didn't think to hang on to the questions before, but I'm starting now. If you have any, please feel free to email (until I figure out how to make one of those "guest books").
Comments first...they're always a nice shot to the ego.
"...your Gourd Art is truly amazing and a huge hit with everyone I gave them to as gifts." Kenya W.
"Andrea...the poinsettia dish arrived today in perfect condition. Thank you. It is even prettier than the picture." Lorna D.
"Good looking items, there! Your talent is growing and showing." Mitch L.
"My package arrived safely while we were gone. Everything looks great!" Susan G.
"Thank you for the baby basket. My sister was surprised and thrilled...a new family heirloom." Nancy B.
Now for some of the questions.

Q. "I am just getting started in gourd art and was I have tried painting the inside side of the gourd but the paint gets absorbed and no matter how good I clean and sand it, I still get gourd particles all in the paint and then I end up with a big mess. Can you please share how you prepare the inside for your paint." Jackie H.
A. First, I must tell you that these Caribbean gourds are a different variety than what you're used to... the skins are much less porous. It's almost like painting on wood. Whenever I've tried to paint regular, vine-grown gourds, I have pretty much the same problem as you do, so I just paint them a solid color. You might try using Gesso on the inside, and once that's dry you should have an easier time with the decorative painting.

Q. "Your work is lovely and very clever with the embellishments. I hope that you do not mind me asking a question. I am new to gourd-crafting and have made some light sconces (just for personal use)----but I cannot find any info about how to treat or finsh the inside of the gourd to deal with the heat from a light bulb. May I ask you what you do?" Kay G.
A. I paint the inside with the same paint as the outside (acrylic gouache). I recommend people use those new energy-efficient bulbs, which give off much less heat. I'd try that, and just make sure you have plenty of vents for the heat to escape out the top.

Q." I have to tell you that I absolutely love your work, you are amazing. I wanted to ask you, if you don't mind sharing, what do you attach the gourds to, to make a lamp shade. I've always wanted to try and make a shade out of a gourd, but I could never figure out how to attach it." Patty L.
A. I drill a hole in what will be the top of the shade to accommodate the threaded part on the top of the lamp harp. I purchase standard sizes, but I've found the adjustable ones work better because they have a small disk under the threaded part, and it can tilt a bit one way or the other.Our gourds are thinner than the stateside vine-grown ones so the only problem I can think of is that your gourd is too thick to sit on the threaded part of the lamp harp. I sometimes have trouble myself fitting it, and still allowing the finial to screw on. That's when I'll carefully grind away some of the gourd to make it thinner. I pour a bit of epoxy into that area before I drill the hole, to make it stronger, but again your gourds are already thick. Play around with some spare pieces to see what might work. Just remember to drill heat vents in the top, and I use those energy efficient bulbs, 40W maximum, as they give off much less heat.
How to Contact Us:
Andrea Jansen, Gourd Artist
P.O. Box 3039, Lajas, P.R. 00667
Telephone: 1-787-309-7197
info@andreajansendesigns.com
Copyright © 2008 AndreaJansenDesigns, All Rights Reserved
This site is powered by Dotservant.com