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 by her, but the voice remained in the back of my head.

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. Such an honor! 

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.