Washington State Gourd Society

Welcome to the home of the

We are the Mu Chapter of the American Gourd Society

The Artistry of Dotty Cooper

Current WSGS Director

Dotty's Story: I guess I've always been a little on the inquisitive side as to how to do something or other. Started out in the early 60's when I took a "Paint Me" test for the Famous Artists mail-order, send in, painting school. Signed up for the course and then had to go back to work to pay for it which cut into my painting time and the time it took to raise two daughters, keep house and cook dinner for the family. A typical story of women my age which is way past 50. Anyway, finally in the early 70's I quit work, went to JC and studied painting, stained-glass, sculpture, jewelry design, and even did a small amount of welding which taught me nothing except how to ply my welding teacher with his favorite bottle of booze to get an "A" out of the class.

Two years of that, husband took a hike and it was back to work for me and the same drill as before, no time to do the "fun stuff" Did manage to do a few stained-glass commissions and then I had a wonderful opportunity to meet a few of Seattle's finest oil and water color painters, started taking painting classes for as many hours in the week that work would permit, and finally got my "poop in a pile" to the point of almost knowing what I wanted to do when I grew up.

Painted still-life, pastoral, and portraits for about 10 years, gave away my paints, then decided I wanted to learn how to carve wood. Managed to carve a several "gifts" that I gave away, came up against a "grain in the wood" that I couldn't carve so decided making quilts would be a lot more fun and a lot more easy on my arms and hands. Wrong, quilts are quite heavy and I had to drape them across one shoulder as I fed them thru the machine - gave that up, discovered needlework!! Learned to do needlepoint and cross-stitch (which I still do in the evenings) and found both types of stitching to be ever so relaxing, and I didn't have to think or design, just followed someone else's pattern. Driving across country? Well the miles just fly by when I have something to stitch in front of me. (No, I'm not the one doing the driving!!) In addition to the needlework, I learned how to make baskets and wow! a whole new field to explore.

Now, comes the day in early Spring, 2005 - March 12th to be exact, when we were in Palm Desert, Ca. and went to the Living Desert. Upon entering the gate, off to one side, was a young lady who had a wonderful display of decorated gourds. I bought one and at the end of the transaction she stated that she would be having a class on Saturday of the following week and would I like to attend. I did of course and that was the beginning and hopefully not the end. I don't think there's another thing out there that I have a hankering to do 'cuz all I've learned, so far, can be incorporated into gourds. Ain't it grand!!!? Also, I really do believe I have every "tool" known to man or woman but knowing how to use them is still a learning process.

Following is a picture of the gourd I made in that very first class.