ArtBrake!: Carol Kroll

Gourd Sculpture

©Carol Kroll 2017

The evolving of Carol's art followed the outsourcing of her nearly three decade career as a textile designer. So began her transformation from a two-dimensional commercial artist to a three-dimensional fine artist who uses hard shell gourd as art medium. The term 'gourd art' commonly denotes 'crafts' but Carol's globally recognized gourd sculptures transport gourd art into the realm of fine art. “I use an organic material rich in history and move it forward with contemporary design. My formal art training was in both fine and commercial art. Lagenaria, or hard shell gourd, offers me the diversity to utilize my fine art skills in painting, sculpting and carving.”

©Carol Kroll 2017

In 2005, Carol moved to rural Siler City and started a small market garden with her partner. “I still love growing organic food, but my first love and passion is art.” Carol soon discovered the world of gourd art through the internet and began growing gourds to use as art medium. “I literally sowed the seeds that would guide my artistic voice and catapult me into becoming a full-time mixed media sculptor. My creative process using hard shelled gourds is an intimate journey with nature that spans many seasons. Living close to nature, I find inspiration all around me. My work celebrates the beauty and wonder of natures' design and honors its resilience as well its fragility.”