We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Reagan Bitler a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Reagan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I learned to work with gourds as an art medium through a combination of self-teaching, workshops, and community involvement. Initially, I discovered the art form by stumbling upon a basic primitive gourd piece sitting on a relative’s dining room table. Fascinated by its natural beauty and shape, as well as the unknown coloring technique, I began experimenting with gourds as a canvas and medium. To deepen my understanding, I joined the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Gourd Society and attended several meetings and workshops where experienced gourd artists shared their techniques and tips. Joining a Maryland gourd club just south of the Mason Dixon Line from my home also provided me with valuable feedback and inspiration from fellow enthusiasts. The online community and resources, including video tutorials and forums, played a significant role in expanding my knowledge and skills.

Knowing what I know now, if I had been less of an independent learner early on and rather actively sought out advice from artists experienced with gourds, I could have significantly sped up my learning process. Being proactive in my education, such as systematically studying a singular gourd art technique and consistently applying what I learned through practice to mastery, would have enhanced my overall skills faster. Additionally, having a dedicated mentor with extensive experience in gourd art could have provided personalized guidance, allowing me to avoid common pitfalls and to master advanced techniques more quickly. Their guidance in selecting and investing in high-quality tools and materials from the start would have made a significant difference. Cheap tools often led to frustration and subpar results, which slowed my progress at mastering certain techniques. Finally, dedicating regular, uninterrupted time to practice and experiment with different gourd art techniques would have accelerated my skill development.

The most essential skills for working with gourds as an art medium include creativity and imagination, patience and precision, knowledge of techniques, tool proficiency, and problem-solving. The ability to envision unique designs and bring them to life on the gourd’s surface – utilizing many techniques such as carving, cutting, woodburning, and the use of various coloring agents – require a steady hand and attention to detail. Understanding the various methods of how to use the gourd as a canvas also requires the artist to be skilled in using a variety of tools from micro saws to power carvers to pyrography burners and pens. Oftentimes, things do not go as planned and finding solutions when encountering unexpected challenges, such as cracks or irregularities in the gourd becomes an additional skill in itself.

Several obstacles hindered my learning process. Not knowing that an entire network of gourd artists existed through the American Gourd Society initially limited my access to finding comprehensive resources and tutorials specifically focused on gourds as a canvas and medium. Budget limitations sometimes restricted my ability to initially purchase expensive high-quality tools and materials needed to produce high quality pieces. Balancing gourd art with other responsibilities, such as my full-time work as a public school teacher often left limited time for practice. In general, there is a lack of understanding and acceptance of gourd art as art, making it harder to find support and inspiration in my passion as a gourd artist. My learning process involved a lot of trial and error, which could be discouraging and time-consuming when results didn’t meet my expectations. Overcoming these obstacles required persistence, creativity in finding solutions, and seeking out every available resource to enhance my skills and knowledge.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Reagan Bitler, and I am a gourd artist and small business owner. I own and operate Godahavom Gourds LLC and the Creatives on King Art Gallery and Studios in York, Pennsylvania. I rediscovered my creative roots over 15 years ago when I was introduced to Gourds as an art medium through a dining room table display at a relatives home. I was mesmerized by the natural beauty of the piece and my creative curiosity took over. After much self-guided exploration, and a brief introduction to the gourd art community, I established Godahavom Gourds LLC as my own art business.

After a few years of exploration and honing the skills and techniques of working with gourds, I found my work to stem from an appetency for nature and cultivates my attraction to shape, color and texture. Simplistic forms become transformed through my use of dark line pyrography, the intricate cut-out of negative space and the application of vibrant colors, leaving the admirer with a tribute to nature’s beauty.

I entered the York, Pennsylvania art scene when I moved into my first studio space above I-ron-ic, a local coffee shop, where I created work as well as taught classes. When I-ron-ic was sold in 2022, I took the leap into creating a gallery, studio, and classroom space of my own, Creatives on King Art Gallery and Studios. I started with the simple idea of bringing my creativity to my collectors, followers and community through a small gallery store. The idea quickly blossomed into a gallery store with working artists’ studios as well as a classroom space available to the public. From the gallery store and the artists’ studios, to the classes and workshops offered on site, I put careful thought into providing an experience to all that enter the space.

Creatives on King provides a unique and immersive shopping experience that will appeal to visitors who value creativity, style, and individuality. The retail art gallery is a modern and stylish space that combines the aesthetics of a traditional art gallery with the functionality of a retail store. It offers both two dimensional and three dimensional art from local and regional artists, as well as, a large selection of gift ideas available for immediate purchase.

Creatives on King also features my working studio as well as the studio space of another in-house artist. Along with studio spaces, the second floor also provides a spacious classroom to host events such as artist talks, art workshops, and activities to engage with the local art community and the Royal Square District neighborhood.

Outside of the gallery space, I am currently serving in my 3rd term as President of the American Gourd Society, a national non-profit consisting of 21 chapters and approximately 3,000 members, and am the co-founder of the Collective Rogue Artists group based in south central Pennsylvania. At the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year, I am retiring from the public education sector after serving 31 years to focus full-time on my gourd art career and businesses.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey has taught me about celebrating and sustaining the beauty and significance of traditional handcrafts like gourd art. My goal is to preserve and to continue these age-old practices, bringing them into the contemporary world while respecting their rich histories and cultural significance.

Incorporating traditional handcrafts into modern artistic expressions allows for a unique blend of past and present. It helps bridge generational gaps and fosters a greater appreciation for cultural heritage in a rapidly changing world. By doing so, I hope to inspire others to explore and value the traditional arts, ensuring that these beautiful and meaningful practices are not lost to time.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the ability to deeply reflect on my feelings, observe the intricacies of nature, and make powerful statements through my art.

Art provides a unique platform for introspection and emotional expression. It allows me to explore and convey my inner world in ways that words often cannot. The process of creating art becomes a therapeutic journey, where each line or cut is a reflection of my thoughts, emotions, and personal experiences. This self-expression is incredibly fulfilling, as it not only helps me understand myself better but also resonates with others who see their own feelings mirrored in my work.

Additionally, being an artist allows me to observe and appreciate the beauty of nature in profound ways. The natural world is an endless source of inspiration, with its diverse landscapes, intricate patterns, and vibrant colors. Translating the essence of nature into my art deepens my connection with the environment and promotes a greater awareness of its wonders and fragility. This observational practice enriches my creative process and instills a sense of awe and gratitude.

Moreover, art empowers me to make statements about the world around me. Whether addressing social issues, environmental concerns, or cultural narratives, my art becomes a voice that can inspire thought, dialogue, and change. Creating pieces that provoke reflection or raise awareness is immensely rewarding, as it contributes to a broader conversation and has the potential to impact society.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.creative-on-king.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creatives_on_king/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativesonKingYorkPA

Image Credits

Lauren Rae Photography