Patsy Price is a gourd artist from Ruston, LA who has produced a great number of gourds in all different styles using dyes, paints, and pine straw weaving. She also crafted dozens of holiday themed gourds including these Santas & Snowmen.
I actually know Mrs. Price personally having gone to school with her son and daughter. I also volunteered with the North Central Louisiana Arts Council (NCLAC) Art Gallery at the Dixie Theater where both our gourds were also on display.
Patsy Price did not sign nor date all of her work, in fact, only one of these gourds is initialed, but these are all examples of her style over the many years she was producing gourd art.
Most, if not all of these gourds were painted in 2004. I believe she participated in Ruston's Annual Holiday Arts Tour that year as do many artists in our area. She also was a vendor at Ruston's Annual Peach Festival Craft show.
From the largest Santa (13.5" tall and 27.75" around) to the smallest Santa (7.5" tall and 18.75" around) these large gourds make quite a decorative holiday statement on a buffet or table scape.
Plus, I like that the snowmen can be turned around if you just want to see the trees.
Where I painted very detailed and complicated gourds and cypress knees, Mrs. Price was able to capture a clever expression with simplistic style.
As a gourd artist, I know the joy of working with this medium and as a collector, I have enjoyed having her Santas and Snowmen in my collection.
