Rebecca Grace Stoneman-Washee
Gourd Pots and Jewelry
Influenced by her background in art and archaeology, Rebecca creates a synthesis of Southwester color, history and motifs in her work. Rebecca's painted gourds are inspired by the beauty and contrasts that surround her, through dreams, by the landforms, and the people of the past and present. Rebecca's work is often iconographic and symbolic. Each painted gourd is unique and crafted entirely by hand. After preparing a raw gourd by scraping and sanding, Rebecca will use multiple layers of paint to create a luminous surface appearance. Texturing is also used to suggest the earthiness of sand and rock. Gourd figures are partially filled with Comb Wash sand to give weight and stability. Following preparations, the work of hand painting with tiny brushes begins. Inspired by fertile minds of the Ancients, Rebecca will often choose to use images reminiscent of painted rock art motifs, designs found on potsherds, or ancient geometric patterns. Gourd figures are inspired by mythology and indigenous stories, the sacred clowns, dancers, and supernatural figures. After hand painting, a sealant is applied to protect the surface. Rebecca's gourds are often finished with additions of beadwork, bird feathers (game-birds only), shells, natural and carved stone, antique glass beads, and other special items. The result is an entirely one-of-a-kind creation. Rebecca signs her work with a spiral, a symbol of life, breath, and animation. The intent of Rebecca's art is to connect the observer with ancient memory, as well as to evoke pleasure and delight. Her goal is "to make you smile." Rebecca is of Lenni-Lenapi (Delaware people-Unami clan), Anglo (Scots-Welsh), and Metis (French Canadian/Athabscan) heritage. She lives with her husband Ernie Washee, their cats, dogs, doves, and horses at their home in Blanding Utah.