Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Patton.
Hi Michele, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have dappled in many mediums through the years. I have always loved nature and found no matter what I work in, I find a draw to earthy vibes in my art. I moved from Wisconsin to Texas in the late 80’s and began working in watercolor. Years later I had a pottery studio and then picked up acrylic while a 5-year resident artist at the DaVinci Artists Gallery in Tomball (closed in 2023).
In early 2024 I had a mild stroke, fortunately, I have no outward issues but for some reason I haven’t been able to get back into painting. Luckily, sometime late last summer I was gifted five hard shelled gourds. I had no idea what I would do with them but I thought they were cool….so I started my research – what can one do with a dried gourd? Almost a year later I’m still working with gourds! They are natural, earthy, have three-dimensionality (like clay), they can be carved (like wood), pyrography (woodburned), add weaving, stained and/or dyed. I have found I love this outlet of creativity. Mark making and carving play a large part as well as thinking in 3D as your design may or may not encompass the whole gourd. This is a varied canvas of sorts but I feel the gourd tells you what it wants to be. Like me, it is perfectly imperfect and I love it!!! I have three gourd plants growing in my yard, hoping next spring I’ll have a limitless supply.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’m sure any artist would say it hasn’t been a smooth road….there is always self doubt to meet you along the way, mostly self doubt. The physical work with gourds is challenging in itself because they create a mold when drying (taking months to completely dry out) that can potentially cause respiratory problems from the spores and dust when cleaning, sanding, carving, or burning. I have to wear a respirator and work outdoors only until coloring which I do inside. Working with gourds is seen with skepticism, some say it is more of a craft and do not take me seriously while others see if no different than if I was still working in clay. In either case, I have to do what feels right to me and I will continue to make my creations with gourds. I do believe with time, as my work evolves, it will be seen with a new interest.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My style changes as much as my ideas but I do know that I like the imperfections in gourds – the natural blemishes, stains/grain and such. Where I can, I will use these in my design. Once the gourd has dried it is a lot like wood which makes the carving so much fun. The thicker the gourd skin the better for carving and pyrography (woodburning). This is a unique style of art and once carved you see what is under the skin…a softer material where mark making really stands out. Like us, gourds have many layers and as you work the gourd you never know how the shell will react. You might hit a soft spot or a denser area and what you had planned changes….that is part of the fun for me…just another challenge. I have only been doing this for a year but feel like I’ve been doing it so much longer, it just feels natural to me.
How do you think about happiness?
Easy question. Beside the love of family and friends it is most definitely being in nature, the birds, the plants, the breeze, the sun on my face…..that is my happy place. I find peace and connection that makes me whole and gives me so much inspiration.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michelepattonart.com
- Instagram: michelepattonart
- Facebook: Michele L. Patton – Art
- Other: https://michelepattonart.etsy.com
