My work is a blend of natural and unending precision, born out of a love for animals and nature. After spending years doing oil paintings, I found a real love for the techniques I was able to use in fine gourd artwork. Every gourd with its different textures, shapes, size and color affords me a new and unusual canvas to work with. By the use of acrylics, leather dye, leather acrylics and silk paints with an emphasis on relief carving and cut burning I am able to give a sense of realism to my subject matter. Toaccent my art pieces I have incorporated metal and leather weaving along with the inlaying of metals and various media. The work comes from my heart and mind, sharing with people some of the most wonderful, colorful and delightful scenes that nature can provide.

Born on January 20, 1945 in Birmingham, Alabama, I come from several generations of shared talents from well known architects both in the United States and Mexico; a mother who was a song and dance partner to Fred Astaire before Ginger Rogers; and a descendent of Admiral Perry who explored the North Pole. My heritage, like my art, is both colorful and diversified. I consider myself a self-taught artist with a renders eye for capturing timeless moments and sharing them with viewers --this is my greatest satisfaction. With two years of college majoring in art I have tried to expand my talent through exploration of new and unusual techniques. I have been featured in Chips Chats Woodcarving Magazine, Style and Décor Magazine, Gourd Craft by Ginger Summit, Glorious Gourd Decorating by Mickey Basket, and soon to be released book on gourd carving. I have done pieces for the San Diego Zoo, Jane Goodall Institute, and Tippi Hedren and the Roar Foundation. When time allows I do as much to support both wildlife and cancer charities. I enjoy doing custom pieces for those who want to capture precious moments and lasting memories of a subject dear to their hearts. It can take from one to eight weeks to finish a piece. Each piece is then numbered, photographed and cataloged.

Having won numerous awards, I consider the greatest reward the knowledge that people enjoy my artwork. I feel very fortunate to have a talent I can share with others.

	You can contact Marguerite at: www.lasting-memories.net or  lastmens@earthlink.net    Note: The Powercrafter was used to do the carving on all    of the gourds.