Last year in our raised garden, we grew bottleneck gourds for the first time. By the season’s end, we harvested about a dozen of these unique gourds and allowed them to dry over the winter. With spring’s arrival, it was time to put these dried gourds to good use, transforming them into birdhouses. My goal was to attract specific birds to our garden, starting with the beautiful bluebird.
To begin, Bruce drilled a 1-1/2 inch opening in each gourd, the perfect size for welcoming bluebirds. With the structural work done, I delved into researching the bluebird’s preferred food sources and habitat, aiming to create a birdhouse that was functional and full of pretty flowers to lure the bluebirds to their new abode.
Bluebirds are attracted to various flowers and berries, so I incorporated designs of elderberries, serviceberries, juniper, sumac, holly, and dogwood into my paintings. I sketched these plants first in my sketchbook to use as a reference. Painting on a bottleneck gourd proved to be a unique challenge, requiring more patience and precision than working on a flat canvas. The curved surface demanded steady hands and careful strokes to bring my design to life.
@elizabethgleasonart Handpainted bottle gourd bluebird house. #bluebirds #bluebird #bottlegourd #gourds #birding #birdingtiktok ♬ Ghibli-style nostalgic waltz – MaSssuguMusic
After completing the artwork, I waterproofed the gourds with a glossy outdoor finish, ensuring they could withstand the elements and remain a cozy sanctuary for any bluebird family. The glossy finish not only protected the paint but also gave the birdhouses a beautiful sheen, making them an attractive addition to the garden.
I hope my parent’s garden will soon host a new family of bluebirds, finding shelter and sustenance in their personalized homes. This project, blending creativity and practicality, was a labor of love, a way to enhance our garden’s beauty and biodiversity. Here’s to welcoming bluebirds and other feathered friends into the garden!
Bluebirds darted joyously among the garden and fields. The serviceberry, dogwood, holly and juniper along with the sumac and elderberry called to them with bright fruits and sweet nectar. Each berry bush a colorful feat to chirp happily filling the air with song and color.
This was a postcard I created for Father’s Day for my dad. It goes along with a handpainted bottle gourd birdhouse I made for him.