A Kentucky native, Brenda Wood’s fascination with gourds began in 1998 after her husband, Wes, grew gourds in their Alabama garden. With two degrees in agriculture, it seems logical her art canvas would be an agricultural product. The many shapes and sizes of gourds and diversity of varieties is what draws her to her chosen medium. Since each gourd is unique by nature, and each gourd creation is painted or wood-burned with its own special design, no two pieces are ever the same.
She has taught various “Painted Gourd” classes in Alabama and Georgia demonstrated her technique to various civic groups over the years. Her painted gourds have been sold in galleries in Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida. Many of her pieces are in private collections throughout the U.S, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, China and the Republic of the Congo.
Wood resides on BlackwaterBay with her husband and teenage son where they enjoy all things water related. She is currently Adjunct Faculty at Pensacola State College where she teaches botany.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Dragonfly Gallery Artist of the Month Brenda Wood