September 2005

Diane Piccola • Gourd Art

Diane Piccola discovered and began to explore the world of art at the age of five. Growing up in Detroit, Michigan, her family encouraged her to explore her love of art and drawing, and consequently, her passion grew. After graduating from the Meinzinger School of Art, Detroit, Piccola put her artistic talents to use in the entertainment and tourism industries before discovering the possibilities of gourd art at the Wellburn Farm Gourd Show in Fallbrook, California. (She’s been a California resident since 1979.) She bought a carload of gourds at that show and she hasn’t looked back since. Piccola has experimented with many different forms and finishes in her gourd art, but she is best known for her one-of-a-kind, whimsical dolls.

TCR: How have you pursued your career? Can you provide a brief timeline of when you got started, and how your career has evolved?

DP: I started 5 years ago after retiring from the tour & travel industry. Utilizing my talent and background in the arts, I designed hotel brochures, trade shows exhibits, and clothing uniforms for the Hilton Hotel staff. I also created children's coloring books with matching tee shirts for hotel gift shops. I have been involved in art in one form or another all of my life,using oils, acrylics, watercolors and other media. In 1998 I attended my first gourd show and was inspired with the beautiful work. What a way to combine my art with these interesting shapes and forms created by mother nature. Each project begins with an idea and changes as I create the piece because the gourd itself seems to have a personality that talks to me, consequently each piece evolves and the result is often not at all like the the original idea.

All of the work on each piece is hand done, cleaning, cutting, painting, adding beads and other embellishments, and batiking fabric for the dolls clothing. My belief is that if you are true to yourself and your spirit, do what you love and love what you do, your gift will be engraved in your soul forever.

TCR: Who is the market for your work? What is your strategy for reaching them?

DP: Gourd Art seems to appeal to a wide diversity of people. Collectors of my work are not any specific gender or age. On many occasions when I do shows the same people buy year after year. My membership in various gourd associations, art museums, galleries and women's groups affords me the opportunity to talk about my creations and network with others.

TCR: Where does the bulk of your business come from?

DP: Originally it was Art Faires and Gourd Shows but more and more as my work becomes better known I am marketing to several High End galleries and boutiques. I accept commissioned pieces and several collectors are acquiring my work.

TCR: Have there been major turning points in your career as an artist?

DP: I was featured on the Carol Duvall show on HGTV that helped create sales for my jewelry line. I was the featured artist at the annual International Gourd Art Festival and one of my dolls "Batika" was displayed on the cover of the program guide. This was an exciting honor and really helped promote my work. Winning awards in several shows and fairs also gives me great visibility.

TCR: Do you see any business challenges specific to artists who work gourds? How have you overcome these?

DP: Because every gourd is different there is not an opportunity to mass produce a particular item. As a result prices must be high to reflect the time spent on each piece. However as most artists know, you are never really compensated fully for the time spent on a piece. Pricing your work is very difficult and in general gourd artists tend to underprice their work. I have come to the understanding that if a customer loves a piece, they will own it. I believe that for every piece there is someone out there who can’t live without it.

TCR: What has been the most difficult thing you have encountered in your work?

DP: The perception by some that gourd art is not "art", although increasingly it is being recognized as fine art. I create original works of art using a gourd as my canvas, the challenge here is painting on a curved surface. There is also the health issue. Cleaning, cutting and sanding gourds creates a toxic dust and you must wear protective masks at all times.

TCR: What, in terms of business insight, have you learned to do or not to do over the years?

DP: Many of the decisions regarding what shows to do become easier with time as you get to know your target market and what venues are suitable. A professional presentation of your products, welcoming your customers, and describing your techniques are all ways to increase sales.

TCR: How has the Internet affected your business?

DP: Our web site, www.gourdcreations.net is an excellent way of showcasing my work to a national and international customer base as well as selling pieces on line and sharing gourd art related news and events. Our site has been on line now for three years and is constantly growing. I also do workshops and people can get information and sign up on our website. E-mail allows me the use a mailing list to stay in touch with my clients and of course the research benefits of the web are invaluable.

TCR: What is the next step for you?

DP: My passion for gourd art is a major part of my life and being. I think about my next creation with anticipation and excitement. Gourds are so spiritual to me. They make me feel happy, connected and seem to have magical and healing properties. Working with them is my form of daily meditation. Some new and exciting events are coming up in the future. I am to be included in an upcoming book "Gourd Dolls: the Spirit in the Gourd" by Jim Widess and Ginger Summit who have authored several beautiful hard bound books on Gourd Art. I also have plans for a children's book, a new series of European themed dolls as well as some exciting new ideas for my gourd jewelry.

TCR: What is your show Schedule, if you have one and where is your work available and through whom?

DP: My work is available at:

Janika Designs, 2969 State Street, Carlsbad, CA
Visions In Art Gallery, 133 Hanes Place Vista, CA
On Line at: www.gourdcreations.net

Show Schedule

Sept. 18, 2005 Rancho Santa Fe Art Faire 6004 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe, CA				Oct. 8 & 9, 2005 Fine Art Faire Bates Nut Farm, Valley Center CA
Nov. 5, 2005 Designer Workshop St. James Hall, La Jolla, CA				March, 2006 Gourd Pizzazz, The Artist Gallery 121 W. Grand Ave, Escondido, CA
June, 2006 The Art & Cultural Center Main St. Fallbrook CA				June, 2006 International Gourd Art Festival Welburn Gourd Farm, Fallbrook, CA