Beginning with a Tall Body Gourd, I cut the opening of the gourd where I will be weaving. I then clean the gourd, prepare the outside of the gourd using Gourd Ink and finally drill the holes where I will be weaving as well as the bottom of the gourd where I weave a base using dyed rattan. This gourd actually has weaving on both the front and back side. The back was woven first, weaving on top of the gourd, using multiple colors of 4 ply waxed linen and small yarns. The front of the gourd is woven within the opening using one color of 4 ply waxed with my intent to represent the pueblos. It is finished on top with white bone and turquoise beads.
Shirley Eichten Albrecht
Every 1 2024 / May 7, 2024
Ancient One
H: 14" | W: 7" | D: 7"
Photo by artist
Shirley Eichten Albrecht
Sedona, AZ
When I am about to begin a gourd sculpture, I take time to really explore the gourd’s shape and what story it wants to tell, whether it will be a figurative sculpture or a woven baskets. My weaving has been a real evolution moving from traditional to sculptural. I love to explore the many natural fibers available and incorporate them in ways I have not seen before. Whether I am working with gourds, Raku or antlers, each takes on its own voice. I am inspired by nature around me, and my clients respond to this. I still remember how I felt as my first sculptural basket began to form. I was working with rainbow-colored dyed spokes and weaving with natural rattan. As I wove, I got more and more excited as I saw the shape take place. When I got to the top, I wanted to be sure the colored spokes could be seen so I finished in a way that they literally just felt like they burst from the basket. From there my explorations went to using other natural materials. It was my move to Sedona, Arizona that truly moved my creative juices. I have taken my gourd art from being a craft to fine art. I want to show the natural beauty of the gourd but tell a story through my weaving and the materials that I used. I get a sense of satisfaction and calmness when I am weaving. I let things flow naturally.