Neapolitan Mandolin Gourd
I have had two really nice gourds just sitting here waiting for me to do with them, for about a month!
One is shaped like a basket (not pictured), and the other one looked like this:
I have looked at that thing and the first thing that always came to mind was either a Sitar or a Mandolin. I finally decided on the Mandolin because I love playing the mandolin...I've never tried the Sitar.
I found a picture of a Neapolitan Mandolin, and started painting this morning. Halfway through, I realized how difficult it would be to draw such tiny little straight lines for the strings, so instead of painting them on, I decided to stick pins in the gourd, and tie sewing string around them, pressing them in firmly, so that it is literally "strung". Then I applied superglue to the pins so that they won't come out of the holes, and the thread won't slip.
What do you think? I am so happy with the way it turned out!
See the pins?
To get the super glue, I had to run down to the gas station down the road. I took the gourd with me, and the clerk saw it and told me that there is actually going to be a Gourd festival here tomorrow! I checked online, and there is a ribbon competition, and you can enter TODAY from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. I'm going to leave in just a minute to go enter it. What a coincidence that the motivation to paint this gourd would have been so timely!
One is shaped like a basket (not pictured), and the other one looked like this:
I have looked at that thing and the first thing that always came to mind was either a Sitar or a Mandolin. I finally decided on the Mandolin because I love playing the mandolin...I've never tried the Sitar.
I found a picture of a Neapolitan Mandolin, and started painting this morning. Halfway through, I realized how difficult it would be to draw such tiny little straight lines for the strings, so instead of painting them on, I decided to stick pins in the gourd, and tie sewing string around them, pressing them in firmly, so that it is literally "strung". Then I applied superglue to the pins so that they won't come out of the holes, and the thread won't slip.
What do you think? I am so happy with the way it turned out!
See the pins?
To get the super glue, I had to run down to the gas station down the road. I took the gourd with me, and the clerk saw it and told me that there is actually going to be a Gourd festival here tomorrow! I checked online, and there is a ribbon competition, and you can enter TODAY from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. I'm going to leave in just a minute to go enter it. What a coincidence that the motivation to paint this gourd would have been so timely!
That is too cute! You are VERY crafty! I def think you will be in the running to win the contest..keep us posted!
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Okay, I love it! That is too neat! And I hope you win!
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Oh my goodness Bethany, that mandolin is just gorgeous!
I love your stuffed animals from your kids drawings. Have you ever considered putting up a seperate website and offering personalized stuffed animals for sale? That would be so cool.
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That is so cool! I hope you win...I bet you will!
:o) Rachel
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Thank you!!
I was suprised to see how many BEAUTIFUL exhibits there were there! I can't wait to go back tomorrow and bring my camera to show all of the beautiful gourd creations at this festival. I bought dozens of unpainted gourds while I was there...now I have even more to look forward to painting!
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how neat! I hope you do well in the competition
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I think it is so clever. I'm anxious to hear how you do in the contest.
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That mandolin gourd was meant to be. Awesome job.
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How wonderful! You are so talented Bethany! Good luck!
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That is so beautiful! I'm thinking you might get a prize out of this one.
You are just so creative. It boggles the mind.
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