Karen Saviskas
Artist Statement
Shows & Events
Contact Artist
Karen has been creating her one of a kind gourds since 1991. She combines traditional basketry techniques, hand-staining, and wood-burning designs on the gourd’s outer surface. Many of her pieces are then adorned with such natural materials as Torrey Pines needles philodendron sheaths, date palm fruiting stems and unique beads, creating pieces with complex textures and rich colors. Her gourds have been featured in galleries throughout the United States in such places as Nantucket Island; Telluride, Colorado; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Park City, Utah; Banff, Canada; and Cambria, California. In 1994, one of her gourd ornaments was chosen to decorate the White House Christmas tree and is now a part of the permanent collection in the Smithsonian Institute.

Her pieces have been profiled in numerous publications, including, “The Complete Book of Gourd Craft”. She was the featured artist at the 1999 Calabasas Art Festival.

Karen states, “I love working with the colors, textures and richness of the gourds and natural materials. My inspiration comes from nature itself and I strive through my work to honor the beauty and spirit of the earth. My intent is to bring a little bit of nature into our everyday environment so we can appreciate and connect with the wisdom and healing of the natural world.”