Mystical Classes for 2025

When I first heard about it, I thought it would be fun for my classes to go along with this year's PA Gourd Fest  theme, "Mystical".    For me, my interest in art began with illustrations in children's books, especially fairy tales.  I loved looking at the pictures of knights and princesses, unicorns and dragons, talking animals and fairies.  

​I will be teaching only two classes this year, but one will be a full day.  Read on below and I will tell you more about them!
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Link to register is at the bottom of the post, registration opens on April 1, 2025.

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Nessie

This is inspired by the world famous resident of Loch Ness, Scotland.  It is arguable if Nessie is truly a mystical creature, one of imagination and lore,  or an ancient marine animal that survived from the time of the dinosaurs.   The first Nessie sighting at Loch Ness was in the year 565, by Saint Columba!  After that, there were many sightings and even photos.  The most famous photo was taken in 1934 by Robert Kenneth Wilson, while on a hunting and fishing trip. It became known as, "the surgeon's photograph".  Since then there have been many sightings, and even a webcam has been set up so people can watch anytime, from anywhere for the elusive creature.  

We will be using pyrography to burn the Nessie design on the gourd.  The fancy spirals on Nessie is also done with pyrography shading.  Then we will used some mixed media techniques to color the shimmering water.  

Students will need to bring their pyrography kit, meaning the transformer and pens.  We will be using a spear and a shader.  Everything else, including a cut gourd is provided.

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green man

Foliate head or foliate mask would be the preferred  nomenclature by historians, as these medieval figures can be female or even animal faces.  The term "green man" was coined by writer Lady Raglan in 1939 writing about these in a journal for the Folklore Society.  The faces are always made of or surrounded by foliage.  There are all sorts of conjecture of the origins and meaning of the foliate heads, and they have been found in various forms all around the world.  What many agree with is that they can be symbolic of the cycles of life and rebirth.  Curiously, many of these leafy faces decorate the ceilings and walls of medieval churches in Europe in carved forms.  Some were painted green or autumnal colored, or left natural stone color.  

This will be a full day class, we will do the pyrography in the morning and colored pencil in the afternoon.  Students again will need their pyrography kit, along with a shader pen.   

​I will supply colored pencils in the same colors that I used for the sample, but you are welcome to bring your own colored pencils.  The brand I use is Faber Castel Polychromos, but again, if you have a different kind or colors that you want to use feel free to bring them along to class.  

A cut and cleaned gourd is also provided!

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How to register

Starting on April 1, 2025 you may go to the PA Gourd Fest website to sign up for my or any other class that strikes your fancy! 
​Here is the link: ​   https://www.pagourdsociety.org/2024-class-registration