I create these sculptures as simple tributes to the countless avian treasures and natural wonders that have delighted and inspired me throughout the years. It is my hope that my affinity for birds and the other joys I find in nature are conveyed through these playful creations. Just as I rejoice in the diversity of flora and fauna our world offers, I embrace the individual variation and natural irregularities within these sculptures, as no two Gourd Birds are identical. By altering the gourd as little as possible in the process, I aim to celebrate equally the natural materials used and the subjects they represent.

Gourd Birds are my own take on the ancient art of gourd craft. The primitive, simplistic style of these pieces is the result of mixed influences that include traditional folk art sculpture, tribal art, and the style that artist Charley Harper termed minimal realism, through which the essence of a subject is captured with the least possible visual elements.

When available, Gourd Birds can be purchased at various locations and events around Essex County, MA, particularly where purchases benefit social and/or environmental causes. To be notified of these events and other opportunities for viewing or purchasing Gourd Birds, requesting to be added to the mailing list, or 'like' Gourd Birds on Facebook.

Gourd Birds are specially dried and treated to enable them to last, so there is nothing you need to do in terms of care, except for an occasional dusting. However, you should exercise caution when transporting them. Like the natural habitats that inspire them, Gourd Birds can be fragile, so please lift them only by their base.

For additional information, contact Rob Gough at .

You might also want to connect with Gourd Birds on Facebook, where you can keep in touch, view photos, and get the latest information, including when new pieces are delivered to local vendors.

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