Space Eagle Productions

I  thought I would tell you a bit about myself and my gourd art. This is part of my bio for my portfolio ..

My name is Michele Hoffman and I am a self-taught gourd artisan and have been using gourds as a medium for the past 7 years.  I have entered my work in the North Carolina Gourd Show, Florida Gourd Show, Annual Gourd Artisans’ Gathering in Cherokee, North Carolina, and have had it displayed at the Archdale Public Library in Archdale, North Carolina.  Much to my surprise and delight, my gourd pieces have won a total of 32 ribbons, including 17 first place blue ribbons at the various gourd shows.  I have always admired the beautiful work of my fellow gourd artisans and never imagined my work would be recognized and appreciated alongside their vast amount of talent.  Six years ago, I was featured on the local FOX News channel segment “Roy’s Folks” for my gourd art and notoriety and have attended the Annual Roy’s Folks Craft Fair since.  Once I start working on a gourd piece I find myself totally enthralled in my work and am in my own little world and am amazed at seeing a rough ugly gourd transformed into a beautiful piece of artwork.  Every piece of the gourd is utilized . I make bookmarks, luminaries, ornaments, wind chimes, jewelry, bowls and any other item I am inspired to create.  I have featured my work at numerous shows to include the Annual Roy’s Folks Craft Fair at Providence Place in High Point, Annual Southeast Old Thresher’s Reunion and Horse and Mules Days at the Denton Farm Park, Asheboro Fall Festival, Bush Hill Days in Archdale, Tom’s Creek Nursery Spring Art Fair, Denton Spring Arts Festival, Southern Pottery Folk Art and Craft Fair, Annual Gourd Artists’ Gathering in Cherokee, Our State Celebration at Show Place in High Point, the Florida Gourd Show in Palatka, Florida, and the North Carolina Gourd Show in Raleigh.  In addition to these venues, I had the distinct honor to be asked to contribute a gourd tile to be part of a one-of-a-kind gourd quilt.  112 gourd artisans world-wide contributed a tile featuring their distinctive art style to this project and since its’ completion the quilt has been on display at shows throughout the United States and internationally and will eventually be placed in the Smithsonian Institute for permanent display.  The prices on my gourd pieces range from $20 to $600 depending on the size and scope of work involved in creating the completed artwork.  Gourds are my passion and my dream and with God’s help will I will continue to be a gourd artisan for many years to come.

This is just a bit about my gourds that I do now . I am 48 and have been doing art and craft shows from the time I was 15 . I worked with macrame' to sand art with cartoon figures in the sand. folk art Dolls, to luminaries of all kinds .. I loved to touch base on about everything that caught my eye in the art world. And with this through the years I am able to utilize it in my love for the Gourds ...

So if you have time and would like please visit my Picture Trail and see some more of my art that I have posted there.. http://www.picturetrail.com/michelehoffman

Love n Peace always with you,