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Adding artistry to bulbous plants
By MICHELLE JONES, Times Staff Writer LAND O'LAKES -- Carol Callahan's artistry is a reflection of what is near and dear: American patriotism, Christmas, even chickens. She paints these and other things on the gourds she sells at local festivals and shows. This weekend, Callahan will be at the Land O'Lakes Fall Harvest Arts and Craft Show, along with many other artists and crafts vendors. The show will be held at the Recreation Complex at 3032 Collier Parkway in Land O'Lakes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Many of her gourds have been turned into Christmas baskets and other holiday decorations, bird houses and candy bowls. Included in some of them are electric lights, adding to the holiday motif. Callahan buys her gourds at the Florida Gourd Show in Belleview. "I buy a year's supply at that time," she said. She then takes them home, dries and cleans them, cuts them to the shape she needs, removes any sharp edges and paints and seals them. A small jigsaw is used in the cutting process. The gourds, she says, grow on vines like pumpkins and are many shapes and sizes. When green, the gourds are heavy like a watermelon, but when they dry, they are light. After the cleaning process she fills any bug holes in the gourd with wood filler. Once the gourds are prepared, more of her creative juices kick in. "What does this look like?," Callahan asked, holding a large, light brown, pear-shaped gourd. She sees a plump Santa Claus with a big belly. When she shakes the gourd, seeds inside rattle. "Like a bowl full of jelly," she says. Inside her doublewide mobile home, red white and blue are prevalent. American flags decorate the border around the living room walls. Outside, chickens of various species scurry about looking for a handout. Some have names, some don't. One of her favorite gourds is shaped like family cat Artie. It won a blue ribbon for her at the state fair, and is of special value now since the cat died. "It's not for sale," said 11-year-old Caitlin Callahan, who helps her mother by painting wooden wands, Santa keys and helping make halos and friendship bracelets to sell. Caitlin and her older sister, Kathleen McBride, will help their mother at the festival during the weekend. McBride does pen and ink drawings on gourds that have just been dried and cleaned, but retain their natural color. When the design is complete, she seals it. "She's earning money to pay her way through college," Callahan said. "She attends the Ringling School of Art." Last year Callahan brought some of her gourds to the Great American Teach-In at Sanders Elementary School. She gave out gourd seeds to all the students. She was so well received that she was asked to return to demonstrate her work in an art class. In addition to the Land O'Lakes Fall Harvest Show this weekend, Callahan will be at the Rattlesnake Festival in San Antonio on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20 and the Gaither High School Show in December. -Michelle Jones covers central Pasco community news. She can be reached at (813) 909-4612 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505 ext. 4612. Her e-mail address is jones@sptimes.com.
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From today's Pasco Times Editorial |
