I have always felt a strong connection to the natural world, from the tiniest birds to largest whales, God's amazing creation and original Art, often combined with my interest with the Celtic and medieval styles, inspired by old stories, folk tales and songs. I am constantly trying to work all of these elements together in my own work; sometimes thoughtful, sometimes whimsical, always striving to communicate truth and beauty, as I illustrate my imagination in fire, on gourds. Soli Deo Gloria!
I have always been an artist, even as a child I spend a lot of time drawing. I have worked in almost every artistic medium, my favorites before gourds have been pencil, oils and watercolor. I began working with gourds in 1999, trying a new craft on a whim. The fact that gourds are a three dimensional, natural canvas, that they are conducive to almost any art medium was fascinating to me. After a time of experimentation, I found that pyrography, or wood burning, on gourds was what I was destined to do. It took my love of drawing to a new level, and working with gourds allows me to combine many aspects of creation along with the conceptual drawing process, using paint, pigments, gold leaf, inlay, carving and basketry techniques. There never seems to be an end to all that can be done with gourds.
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Pyrography The Art and Craft of Woodburning Fox Chapel Publication (Magazine) 2018 Beautiful Butterfly Practice Gourd by Jenn Avery (How-To Article) Pyrography The Art and Craft of Woodburning Fox Chapel Publication (Magazine) 2016 St. Patrick's Day Ornament by Jenn Avery (How-To Article)
Pyrography The Art and Craft of Woodburning Fox Chapel Publication (Magazine) 2013 Great Gourds!- Pyrographer Jenn Avery Uses a Unique Canvas for Her Exquisite Designs
Lancaster Sunday News, August 15, 2010 (Newspaper) Gourdgeous- Fruit of the Vine Inspires Gretna Bound Artist
Lancaster Farming News, November 11, 2006 (Newspaper) Beauty of Fall;s Bounty- Artist Brings Life to Gourds
Beyond the Basics- Gourd Art (Book) by David Macfarlane Sterling/Chapelle Publishing 2006
Awards First Place Pyrography- PA Gourd Gathering 2019 First Place Collection of Gourds- PA Gourd Gathering 2018 People's Choice First place- PA Gourd Gathering 2017 Judge's Choice- Mount Gretna Art Show 2006 First Place- Mixed Media Gourd Artist's Guild WWW Gourd Show 2005 First Place- Woodburning Gourd Artist's Guild WWW Gourd Show 2005 Best of Patch- Gourd Artist's Guild WWW Gourd Show 2003