A self-taught landscape artist, I began painting on gourds several years ago,

then tried carving (a talent my Grandfather had). While working at the

Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Florida, I was in daily contact

with cultural representatives from all over the continent of Africa.

The stories about Africa passed down through my family and

my love of animals have definitely influenced my artist expression.

Each natural gourd is selected for its unique shape and color.

a “one-of-a-kind” picture or story is carved into the gourd then painted.

Gourds, a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, which produce a hard-

shell durable fruit grown for ornamental, utensil, and general interest

are a renewable medium and can be recycled leaving no foot print

on the environment. The gourd plant has been described as one of nature’s

greatest gifts to mankind. Of all known plants the gourd is the only one

experts believe spanned the entire globe during prehistoric times. It

appears to be one of the first cultivated plants in regions throughout the

world and was used by every known culture in the temperate and tropical

zones and is still used by many cultures today.

Asante Sana

                                                          Frederick G. Link, Artist