FOCUS ON ART
By Teresa Kendrick

No Two Are Alike
     Gourd artist and Galerías Avant Gourd y Papagayo owner Marianne Carlson says the inspiration for her sculptures, bowls, bugs, dolls and animals come from the gourd itself. "Every piece is an original and I never do anything twice." Carlson’s interest in working with the medium came out of a Mexican miniature dollhouse business she began in the U.S. After moving to Ajijic in 1999 she had the idea to saw large gourds in half and create miniature Day of the Dead, Nativity and kitchen scenes inside using the materials she had on hand. Joining and eventually becoming ASA president, she offered her miniature gourd tableaux to the public at their monthly exhibits. Much to her surprise "they sold like hotcakes" and the business of gourd art became established. Not long afterwards she met Casey and Bob Luria, accomplished gourd artists, who inspired her to take her work to a new level. "They taught me many of the techniques I use today."
     No stranger to crafts, Carlson found she had a special knack for painting. She takes on custom projects, the latest being gourd clocks and painted lampshades. The gallery, co-owned by Lois Atkins, is filled with Carlson’s original designs as well as a wide variety of native arts and crafts. The gallery,at 16th de Septiembre #13 in Ajijic, is open 11-2 Monday through Saturday during the high season. Classes in gourd designing are being planned. Call 766-4133 for information about classes and the annual Maestros del Arte fair held each November.