Beautiful. Why didn't you use a spray sealer? I always use indoor/outdoor glossy spray sealer. Several coats.Then when I bring in for winter I respray for next spring. Lynne

Here is a link that might be useful: my southwest gourd art

Your painting is so beautiful! I love gourds and have stuck to mostly woodburning. I have embellished with many other items as well. I haven't painting anything (aside from my walls...lol) since art class in high school, I have had 3 children since then and don't remember a thing!. I would love to try but often feel very intimidated, especially looking at yours. Your are an excellent painter! What advice could you give a person who wishes to discover their inner painter? Did you take local classes, learn on your own using books, videos or were you just "born with it" like my Mother and Father?
Lifelong Learner,
Annie

thanks Annie. I've always painted pictures but when I ordered two gourd birdhouses for my friend: "I thought I can do that". So found a gourd farm and just started experimenting. If you are not an experience painter just get a pic you like and trace on gourd with carbon. I always outline my work with a magic marker to make it stand out. Lynne

Here is a link that might be useful: my soutwest gourd art

Theresa, The style of your art on the birds houses seems to be of the Donna Dewberry style. You have done a wonderful job! Very pretty birdhouses! Did you take classes on this style or did it just come natural to you? I thought about taking a Donna Dewberry class here locally but decided to practice on my own. Although I have been painting for some time I haven't quite got the squiggle on the leaves down yet!
I have been practicing, though.
Dottie

What beautiful art work I am seeing here and southwestern gourds too. Is there a site that instructs how to paint gourds?

Thanks everybody, I can't wait to hang them outside next spring. I plan on planting gourds next year. You all have been so informative.

dinkeydot, online_annie,
Yes this is Donna Dewberry's style. I didn't go to any classes. Can't you tell? Sometimes they turn out pretty well and sometimes they don't. The key is practice, practice, and practice some more. I practice on my gourds; I don't want to waste my paint on those practice sheets in her books. I always wanted to try painting but like you Annie I was very intimidated by it. I broke down one day and took the plunge after receiving a gift which included two of Donna's tapes, paint, brushes and a book. I also bought a few more books to give me some ideas. I love it. I haven't painted anything but gourds so far.

lmorgie, your gourds are beautiful. Wow, you put a lot of work into yours. I have started to use spray sealer on them now. I was afraid to before because someone told me that if the spray paint got inside the gourd it would kill the baby birds. Has anyone else heard this?

Gluecille-I still don't have Donna's technique down and I've been "practicing" for a long,long time!LOL You did a great job on the gourds and I know what you mean about being hooked.One gourd is all it took for me to know I had to have those gourds!I have also heard that if you use them for bird houses you shouldn't use any kind of paint on the inside.It can harm the baby birds.I don't think enough of the spray to hurt anything would get inside when you spray the outside.If you have doubts just stuff some newspaper or paper towels inside before spraying. What are you going to use to hang them with?........Lillie

Here is a link that might be useful: My Gourds

Lillie,
your gourds are beautiful. Who needs Donna's technique when your technique is great?
I never thought of putting paper towels in the hole. Thanks for the idea. I used some jute to hang them with on a few but now IÂm thinking of wire. I think that would last longer. What do you think? I also took some raffia and tied around the stems and made bows looks really cute but the first rain will take care of that. Oh well it looks good for now.