Masks!

Collecting masks has been a favorite of collectors for many many years. Victorian masks were always a favorite as were African masks.

The more modern art form of masks that collectors have taken to are made of goards adorned with a variety of natural and brightly dyed feathers. Many of the masks are tribal in design and depict a variety of the North American Indian tribes with their symbols and colors.

One of my favorite gourd artist who now resides in New Mexico is Kathe Stark. Her gourd art masks cover a wide range of tastes. She really pushes the envelope and goes beyond the "traditional style". One of my favorite is her "Sassy Bitch" mask. The mask as you see here is bright and ornate. Kathe has really enhaunced the traditonal hues of gold and brown with her bold statement of color. The addition of the bright red feathers brings out the natural beauty of the other feathers and gives the mask that extra touch of flair.

Kathe also makes vessels that are very detailed and decorative. She uses many different designs. Some are very simple such as her turtle pot and others more complex each art piece is very well done and you can feel the time and energy that she gave to each gourd that she creates.