 painting by Yvonne Feavearyear |
Richard & Patricia Waddell
Artist Statement What began as a hobby in 1991 has grown into a passion for gourd artists Dick and Patty Waddell. During this time, their work has evolved from simple pieces of whimsy into sophisticated, painted, carved and pyrographic works of art. They seek to combine the natural color, shape and surface of the gourd with artistic techniques to create exciting and beautiful pieces. Hand-crafting and strict attention to detail are the hallmarks of their work and the final products are a far cry from the crusty gourds that existed at the beginning of the process. Under their “Avant Gourd” logo, the Waddells have participated in Fine Art/Craft shows in Virginia, Georgia and Florida, receiving awards in juried shows in Leesburg, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Apopka, and Atlanta. Dick’s educational background is in theatre and library science and Patty’s is in higher education. They moved to Florida from southwest Virginia more than twenty years ago. Over their forty years of marriage, they tried their hands at a variety of arts and crafts, from stained glass to quilting. It wasn’t until they discovered gourd art that they found a real connection to any medium. Their love of nature was an easy fit for working with gourds, and their skills and talents complemented each other in the types of pieces they could create. Their gourd art provides both artistic and social enrichment in their lives, as the “humble” gourd continues to take them down unexpected paths, bringing new and challenging possibilities for artistic expression. Contact Information: 1940 Wallace Court |
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