Good afternoon everyone. This blogging is new for me. I am just gonna jump right in.
My name is Linda Akin I am a sort of self taught artist. I have been faithfully painting for the last 7 years. When I was a child my grandmother tried teaching me to paint but I just couldn't get it. So I got frustrated and said forget it. I took art in jr high and highschool so I am sure it helped me learn certain things that I now use. At the time I thought I would never need. My grandmother was taught by her mother whom was an actual art teacher. She has paintings and students all over South Texas. My grandmother passed away in June of 2000. I decided I would take a rather large collection of unpainted gourds and her books and paints with me to Ohio. Well I sat on them for awhile and then one day I decided why not lets try it. I pulled out a book that had snowman gourds in it and started painting I would just follow the directions. I decided I would show my neighbor and she loved them and wanted me to make her 2...So I did then my other neighbor wanted 5...Then I decided hey maybe I have something here! Took some down to Charm Ohio and a store called Ole Mill Crafts there purchased 20. Hints the name for my business became Grama's Gourds...which then evolved into Grama's Gourds and Primitives.
I have recently had features in Create and Decorate the magazine and have upcoming features in next years magazines. I am so excited about all of this. I am hoping to get some pattern packets published as well as an instructional book of my own. So keep checking in this all takes a little time. I also belong to a group on the web called Olde Primitive Sisters....These are a great group of talented ladies whom enjoy what they do and take great pride in their work. You can visit them at www.oldprimitivesisters.com. There are a list of vendors just take a peak. My store name is listed as Grama's Gourds and Primitives.
In future posts I am hoping to show you things that I am working on. Step by steps. Some freebie patterns. Some how to's and tips on painting so enjoy and check back frequently to see what's going on. Have a great day.
