Zen Mother

12” High x 16” Wide x 16” Deep

Zen was caringly prepared to receive a crown of pine needles and an adornment of a shed antler with black matte detail, a vintage bone carved Buddha to remind one of the peace that resides within. There are 4 points of the antler that are woven with eight passes under and over each point to symbolize The 4 Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path as taught by Gautama Buddha.

The Four Noble Truths: Life has inevitable suffering. There is a cause to our suffering. There is an end to our suffering. The end of suffering is contained in The Noble Eightfold Path.

Noble Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Concentration, Right Mindfulness.

This large sculpture was created from a large gourd grown in Knights Landing in Yolo County. It was the first gourd farm I visited and was the location of my first gourd festival, first gourd class, and my introduction to gourd art in the early 2000’s.

The owners, farmers of these gourds, have both passed away, the farm is no longer in operation. They were well known for experimental sustainable farming and growing some of the worlds most difficult specimens successfully.

I was able to obtain these large gourds from someone very dear to me who has been a mentor in my artistic evolution. She no longer works with gourds and I was able to acquire them in the fall.

From the farmers land and nurturing, to her hands, to mine, if you invite this vessel into your home, you will be a fourth generationLegacy to nurture and care for this legacy.