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Indigo Artworks

Welcome to Indigo Artworks!

Featuring unique gourd art by Pam Horn-Ross

The artwork presented on this
site is made from hard-shelled
gourds. Gourds have been used
for milennia by many cultures for
both utilitarian and decorative
purposes.

Gourds have been used for
containers, musical
instruments, and as canvas
for creating artwork.

Hard-shell gourds are members
of the botanical family
Cucurbitaceae, which also includes
cucumbers, melons, squash, and
pumpkins. As the gourds mature,
their shells become hard and
brown. After they are fully dried
and cleaned they are ready for
decorating.

Gourds are found throughout the world and come in many shapes and
sizes. Traditionally, gourds were used for food and their roots for
medicinal purposes. Dried gourds were used for carrying water and
storing food. Indeed, the gourd may have influenced the shapes of
early pottery. Many cultures have made gourds into musical
instruments, including drums and rattles. Gourds have also been used by
shamans for ceremonial purposes and to hold important spiritual items.

Today, gourds are being used by
an increasing number of artists
as a canvas for creating artwork.
I hope you will enjoy the gourd
artwork presented on this site.