DAWN HEALY, gourd artist, Blue Moose Art Gallery

Dawn, who has lived in Colorado since 1979 , had her eye on gourds for quite a while, but she didn’t get her hands on one until 2011 when she took a week off from her high tech job for classes to acquaint herself with gourd art techniques. In a few years, time was available for more classes, and in 2016, Dawn officially became a ‘gourd artist’.  She continues to experiment with gourd art techniques but currently finds the most enjoyment in using coiling/weaving techniques. Many of her pieces integrate long-leaf pine needles that have been dyed to offer a distinctive visual effect.  Other techniques include weaving teneriffes (similar to a design woven on a spider-web); closed-coiling (which most people are familiar with due to its use in basketry); and ‘weaving’ with waxed linen, seagrass, leather, date palm inflorescence and other natural products. These techniques integrate with Dawn’s wood burning and carving to finish her intricate designs.