We were lucky to catch up with Cynthia Fearing recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cynthia, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on is the gourd urn I created for my mother.

When her health began to decline, she came to live with me. I thought I might only have one year left with her, and I made it my mission to fill that time with joy, purpose, and connection. We attended art shows, exhibits, and I encouraged her involvement at our local Senior Center. At one of those art shows, she met a gourd artist, which immediately sparked her interest—it reminded her of the gourds she and her family used as dippers for well water on their farm in Virginia.

That encounter led us on a road trip to a gourd farm in Southern California, which only deepened her enthusiasm. She soon connected with a gourd artist who offered to teach a class in our home. I had no intention of participating—I was just hosting and supporting her. But I ended up joining in… and unexpectedly fell in love with the art form. That first class turned into a passion, and just eight months later, I was creating and selling gourd handbags alongside my business partner and my mother. What I thought would be one final year with her turned into ten incredible years, with gourd art at the heart of our shared experience.

After she passed, I honored her request to be cremated. While the mortuary offered to sell me an urn, I told them I would make one myself—from a gourd. It took three years, through grief and healing, and collaboration with three artists who had been meaningful in her life. I wanted the urn to reflect the joy, strength, and beauty of who she was. My goal was to create a piece that would make me and others smile when we remembered her—not just an urn, but a joyful and loving tribute to her life.

On a Tuesday, I brought the finished urn to the mortuary owner, he asked if he could begin selling them. By that Thursday, I had my first order. I’ve been creating them ever since.

That urn was born from love, loss, and creativity—and it has become the most meaningful work I’ve ever done. Creating custom gourd urns for other families is not just an art form for me—it’s a sacred honor, and a continuation of the bond I shared with my mother.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My journey into gourd artistry began in 1999, and it came from a place of love and unexpected inspiration. At the time, I was working full-time as a Contract Analyst at Sony Pictures Entertainment while also caring for my mother, Lucy, whose health was in decline. I wanted to lift her spirits, so I took her to an art exhibit—and that’s where we discovered a gourd artist. For my mother, who grew up in rural Virginia using gourds as water dippers, that moment sparked a deep and emotional connection to her roots.

That experience changed everything. I took her to a gourd farm and later organized a gourd art class for her, our family, and friends. I wasn’t immediately drawn to the medium myself, but while helping her explore it, I unexpectedly discovered my own creative voice. I designed my first gourd purse in 2001. It was raw, but it was different—and people responded to it with warmth and excitement. That early encouragement led me to co-found G3 Relative Art with a business partner. “G3” stands for God Given Gifts and God’s Pottery, and “Relative Art” reflects my belief that art is personal and tied to the stories we carry.

Our handcrafted, leather- and suede-lined gourd bags quickly gained attention, appearing in boutiques, magazines, on television, and even in the hands of celebrities. But in 2007, when my mother’s health took a serious turn, I made the decision to step away from the business and become her full-time caregiver until her passing in 2009. After that season of loss, my business partner decided to move on, we went our separate ways on good terms, and in 2012, I became the sole owner of G3 Relative Art.

One of the most emotional and transformative moments in my journey came when I decided to create a handcrafted urn for my mother. It was something I had envisioned right after her passing, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it until three years later, after I had processed the grief. When I was finally ready, I didn’t want to do it alone. I invited three artists—dear friends, family all creatives I deeply respected—to help me create the urn. That collaboration of love was so important. It wasn’t just about making something beautiful; it was about honoring my mother’s life in a way that felt sacred, communal, and deeply intentional.

That urn became a turning point. When I shared it with the mortuary that had handled her cremation, they were so moved by the sentiment and beauty behind it that they commissioned more. Since then, I’ve been creating custom gourd urns along with home décor, jewelry, wall art, magnets, and more. Every piece is signed, dated, and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, often featuring an uplifting message—sometimes hidden, sometimes in plain sight—because I believe art and words alike carry the power to heal and uplift.

One of the parts of my work that brings me the most joy is collaborating with customers. I love working closely with them to create pieces that are unique to their story and style. That creative exchange is personal, meaningful, and energizing—it’s a privilege to be trusted with someone’s vision and help bring it to life.

I also want people to understand that creativity and inspiration often come from the most unexpected places. If you allow yourself to be open and let your imagination flow, you can create something truly beautiful. And just as important—never give up. Don’t let fear, doubt, setbacks, or a “no” stop you. I wasn’t afraid of what people might think of my work. I created what I loved and what I believed was beautiful and unique in my own eyes. And I’m truly grateful that I took a chance on myself, even when it wasn’t—and still isn’t always—easy.

I’m humbled that people connect with my art and choose to invest in it. That support means more to me than words can express.

Giving back is at the heart of what I do. I employ seniors and individuals with physical challenges, providing meaningful work and creative fulfillment. I also teach gourd artistry across all grade levels in the Los Angeles Unified School District, through Art Active, Inc., and in community workshops. For me, gourds are more than an artistic medium—they’re vessels of memory, healing, and connection. Through my work, I honor my mother, serve my community, and share the power of imagination, resilience, and love.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal and mission is to share, educate, and preserve an art form that is fading from our culture—a practice rooted in history and tradition, yet full of modern potential. Working with gourds, the oldest utilitarian art form, I aim to expand the creative minds of those who may not see themselves as artistic. Through my work, I educate others on the global significance and continued use of gourds, while bringing a fresh, contemporary perspective to their expression. I create one-of-a-kind wearable art and home décor pieces, using this timeless medium to inspire, connect, and reimagine tradition in a modern world.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creating is the ability to turn raw emotion, personal experience, and imagination into something that speaks to others—something they can wear, feel, or connect with. It’s about watching someone light up because a piece resonates with their story, their style, or their memories. It’s knowing that your hands and heart brought beauty, healing, or joy into someone’s world. Creation becomes a bridge—between souls, between past and present, between pain and peace. That connection… that impact… that’s everything.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Cynthia Fearing g3gourdart