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Basketweaving with an Unusual Twist

SOVAST #6

South Valley Artists' Studio Tour
Toni Best weaves a backdrop for one of her wood sculptures.

Sunday  my husband and I toured visited artists in Visalia, CA Region One of the South Valley Artists’ Studio Tour. At the home of another acquaintance of mine, Toni Best, we had no idea gourds could look so fabulous. Her front door was open so we walked in. Her voice led us to her living room display studio where she wove a backdrop for one of her gourd projects.

South Valley Artists' Studio Tour
Gourd and basket weaving combined

Unlike any other baskets I have seen, Toni’s have gaps and dips.

South Valley Artists' Studio Tour
Each gourd inspires a different shaped basket

After we looked around her living and dining room she stopped working and led us to her studio – the garage. She starts by cleaning and staining her gourds, which she purchases in bulk.

South Valley Artists' Studio Tour
Pick a gourd, any gourd.

She wears a mask to protect herself from mold as she cuts a hole in the top of the gourd and grinds out the inside.

South Valley Artists' Studio Tour
Toni demonstrates the process of preparing her gourds.

Then she stains them. This table is set up for a class she will teach in June. She does the gourd preparation for her students because it is so time-consuming.

South Valley Artists' Studio Tour
Toni’s class is ready to go.

Now I understand the difference between the eye of an artist, and ordinary eyes like mine. In a million years my eyes would not have projected the beauty Toni creates from these raw materials.

Toni holds exhibitions all over the country including, St. Paul Minnesota, and at Harvard in Massachusetts. She has been invited to teach at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN this summer. If you do not want to travel to Tennessee, Toni holds classes in her Visalia studio every other month.

Here are additional pictures from her studio.

Toni Best’s Living Room display
Toni Best’s Living Room display
Toni Best’s Living Room display
Toni Best’s Living Room display
Toni Best’s Living Room display
attaching the basket to the gourd
Toni Best’s studio
proper gear for cleaning gourds
step one, cut and stain gourd
basket weaving materials
finished product

 

Posted by:

Marsha

Hi, I’m Marsha Ingrao, a retired educator and wife of a retired realtor. My all-consuming hobby is blogging and it has changed my life. My friends live all over the world. In November 2020, we sold everything and retired to the mile-high desert of Prescott, AZ. We live less than five miles from the Granite Dells, four lakes, and hundreds of trails with our dog, Kalev, and two cats, Moji and Nutter Butter. Vince’s sister came with us and lives close by. Every day is a new adventure.

9 responses to “Basketweaving with an Unusual Twist”

  1. Gourdeous Works of Art – Marsha Ingrao Avatar
    Gourdeous Works of Art – Marsha Ingrao

    […] have long admired the work of Toni Best, a retired teacher. A couple of years ago my husband and I toured her house and studio where she […]

    Like

  2. Creative Gardening Ideas You Can Steal from the Experts – Marsha Ingrao Avatar
    Creative Gardening Ideas You Can Steal from the Experts – Marsha Ingrao

    […] not creative with gourds but I have friends who make gorgeous decorative objects from them. These grow along a row that has 2×2 wooden posts with string on both sides of the […]

    Like

  3. M. L. Kappa Avatar
    M. L. Kappa

    This is so interesting. I’d never seen work like this before. Thanks!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. tchistorygal Avatar
      tchistorygal

      Isn’t it? She had an amazing display of work!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Yvonne Avatar
    Yvonne

    Just … wow!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. tchistorygal Avatar
      tchistorygal

      I know! I was so impressed! 🙂

      Like

  5. the eternal traveller Avatar
    the eternal traveller

    Lovely pieces of work.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. janellmithani Avatar
    janellmithani

    Beautiful art!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Pecora Nera Avatar
    Pecora Nera

    Amazing work

    Liked by 1 person

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