Devon's studio in Sugar Loaf, New York is filled with creative energy, as is the artist herself. Though she has enjoyed modest success with her work on canvas and wood, it is her delightfully whimsical gourd creations that have won acclaim. Since discovering the natural wonder of gourds and the thrill of partnering with Mother Nature in 2002, Devon has attended the following juried shows and exhibitions: Arts and Crafts Festival at Lincoln Center, The Arts Festival at Rockefeller Center, Westport Creative Arts Festival, Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit, and The New York International Gift Fair. In addition, this award-winning artist has been featured in the following publications: The Crafts Report; Giftware News; The Times Herald Record, Crafts Business Magazine, Country Business Magazine, Home Decor Buyer, New York House Magazine, and The Boston Globe. Look for Devon’s roosters on the cover of Gift Shop Magazine, Winter 2008 and a feature in the upcoming issue of Our House Magazine. For a list of galleries and shops that currently carry Gourdaments please follow this link. When she is not embellishing gourds, Devon practices her other passion, Music Therapy, and is introducing her 6- year- old son, and 8- year- old daughter to the art and business of gourds.

How a gourd becomes a Gourdament: Hard-shelled gourds belong to the Cucurbitaceae family. They grow on long vines with curling tendrils, and the type used to create Gourdaments are as hard as wood. Curing cucurbita gourds is a two-step process which may take 1 to 6 months. During this time, the skin hardens, the exterior color of the gourd is set, and internal drying commences. Adequate curing is achieved when the gourd becomes light in weight and the seeds can be heard rattling inside. There are hundreds of gourd shapes, no two exactly alike. Gourdaments typically evolve from kettle, martin house, bushel, or tobacco box gourds. The artist, working in concert with Mother Nature, adds acrylic paint, leather dye, and clay to bring forth the spirit residing within each vessel. Finally, each gourd is triple varnished to enrich and protect the artist's work.