I'm a 6th generation Texan born in downtown Houston and currently
living in Magnolia. After 32-years with SBC, I retired and was able
to start fiddling with gourds.
My love for gourds started when I drove my sister, who does folk art on
gourds, to a TGS show so she could purchase raw gourds. I was hooked
when I saw the many fine pieces of gourd art and watched Tony McGregor at
work with his woodburner. His demo made me try gourd pyrography.
I started working on a few gourds for my home and soon afterwards, my aunt
introduced me to Betty Kent, one of the founders of TGS, who twisted my arm
into joining the society. One of the best tools I found was when I
got involved with my local patch. The knowledge of fellow patch members
was invaluable. Everyone was willing to help me learn the short cuts
and shared tips to make my work easier.
I've been the Leader of the Southeast Gourd Patch and in 2007 was competition
chairman for the TGS Lone Star Gourd Festival. I, sincerely, encourage
everyone to get involved with a patch.
I have no formal training in art but have taken a few technique classes
from gourd artists. I've participated in most of the projects that
the patch has presented and try as many products and techniques as I can.
I like combining pyrography, inks, dyes, paints, carving and coiling with
the various subjects of wildlife, equine, western, southwest and Native American
designs. Working with gourds has become one of my passions.
I'm a proud member of TGS and AGS. Presently, I have my work at the
Copper Shade Tree in Round Top, the Holland St. Gallery in Bellville and have
shown in the juried Kerrville Arts and Cultural Center’s Southwest Fine Gourd
Art Show the past three years.
My husband, Tee and I are building a new home outside of Franklin, TX.
We're planning to grow gourds and building new workshops - mine for gourds
and his for artistic blacksmithing; plus, a big new place for my horses, cats
and dog. Our new place is on Bucksnort Road from which our business
names, "Bucksnort Gourds" and "Bucksnort Forge" are derived.
Email: d_hines@charter.net
Phone: 281-356-1340
Copper Shade Tree: www.coppershadetree.com
Holland St. Gallery: www.hollandstgallery.com
