Gourdaments – Handmade Gourd Art From The Hudson Valley

Once upon a time, a music therapist named Cameron lived in a quaint little town. One sunny day, as she admired her first garden-grown gourd, she fancied that she heard Mother Nature herself whisper, “Kitty Cat!” Of course, it might have just been the creak of a garden gate, but it sparked a marvelous idea.

Soon after, Cleo the Gourd Cat emerged, capturing the hearts of the local craft scene. Cleo’s round and cheerful figure was embellished with swirling goldfish and a playful smile, which Cameron humorously attributed to the little creature’s sedentary lifestyle. But Cleo was just the beginning! Rooster, the second whimsical creation in the Gourdaments collection, made its grand debut at The Arts and Crafts Festival at Lincoln Center in 2003 and became an instant sensation in the Folk Art world.

Cameron’s cozy bedroom workshop in Circleville, NY, quickly filled with orders for cats and roosters, overflowing with her artistic creations. With a twinkle in her eye and a heart full of joy, she upgraded her workspace to a charming workshop beside her house, although she often found herself inspired by the twists and turns of British murder mysteries airing on PBS.

Her delightful gourd art began to grace the walls of many prestigious galleries, including the renowned Art Institute of Chicago and the Smithsonian’s American Art Museum Gift Shops. Yet, as fascinating as her creations were, Cameron was equally enchanted by the gourd art crafted across cultures and continents. She mused, “Mother Nature has spread these marvelous creations all over the globe, allowing artists to share their unique cultures through gourd art. It’s a beautiful reminder that art transcends boundaries and unites the creative spirit within us all.”

And so, through the delightful first utterance of “Kitty Cat,” Cameron discovered an enduring message from Mother Nature: “Peace through art.”