Visual Art by R. Jill Fink

Funky Gourds and One Cool Birdhouse
by R. Jill Fink

Dali Barn

Orange Cat Gourd

Gordy the Giraffe

Pig E. Banque

Artist's note: The gourds I use are Georgia grown, and each one is, itself, a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork. I clean and dry the gourd, then decide what it might like to be. I use a two part epoxy clay called Apoxie-Sculpt to make ears, tails, snouts, or whatever it needs. It takes three hours for the clay to harden once mixed together, and then I can sand it and paint the gourd with artist-quality acrylic paints. Once the gourd is finished, I sign the bottom then spray it with a clear acrylic varnish to protect the painting and make it more weather-safe in case it is to be put outside, like some of the birdhouses I've made.

Artist bio:

Jill is a native Floridian now happily living in Atlanta. A writer of haiku, fiction, and poetry, she is also a cat enthusiast, a glass artist, a painter, sculptor and general all-around Renaissance woman. She can rebuild your carburetor, install your koi pond, redecorate your den and bake a mean lime chiffon cake. You can find her at http://my.opera.com/rjfink/blog/.