When I was young, I remember telling my mother that I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. Apparently, that was not exactly what she wanted to hear, as that notion was quickly dismissed. Years later someone gave me a gourd; someone else gave me a book on world instruments (many of which were made from gourds); and a third person asked if I could repair a djembe drum for him. All of these occurrences synchronistically happened within a matter of just a few days. Being a person who pays attention to such 'signs', I read the book; fixed the drum; and decided to make a gourd djembe for myself. Thirty years later, drums that I originally created now reside in the U.K., Jamaica, Ethiopia, and several are scattered around the United States. 

I do from time-to-time enjoy working with materials other than gourds. Wood, wire, acrylic paints, etc. I also appreciate working with others to help them find the inspiration for their own creative process. But for me personally, I love the experience of starting with a raw gourd and creating an instrument that, once completed, provides beauty and a healing vibration with many applications.