Rivera, Robert
Robert Rivera is passionate about gourds. For most of us, there's nothing exciting about a field of gourds with their pale bulbous backs hunkering into the earth. But for Rivera, they are a field of possibilities. "When I look at a bunch of gourds, I see quail, pots with Mimbres designs, canteens, storytellers; I know exactly what design I will use."
Rivera is a soft-spoken man with an open, honest face. His eyes grow wide with wonder when he talks about all the ideas he has floating around in his head. He is of Apache, French and Spanish descent. Today Rivera sells everything he makes. In fact, the demand is so great that he can't keep up. Rivera said he enjoys watching the expressions on people's faces when they look at his work. "Seeing how excited people get about the art means more to me than anything else. I like to think that these pieces will still be around long after I'm gone." While Rivera admits that anyone can paint a gourd, his gourds are making the quantum leap from craft to fine art. "I create are from gourds because I love to. Everything goes in a circle. It always comes back." (Partially excerpted with permission from FOCUS Magazine/Santa Fe. Article by Segue Smith.) |  | |
"Tablita Lady"- by gourd artist Robert Rivera of New Mexico. The headdress has a night sky with stars in it, the figure is decorated with turquoise, shells, feathers and leather. The body is the natural form of the gourd and left in the dried fruit color. She measures 11 3/4 inches tall.
Robert Rivera's prehistoric buffalo has a heartline embellished with a natural turquoise stone. Birds fly in the sky and there is yucca plant in the foreground. The natural color of the gourd gives the background a feeling echoing back to the cave paintings of the ancient people.
Robert Rivera creates magic on these natural gourds. Pictured is a bear that is adorned with feathers, turquoise, horse hair and leathers. Including the handle, this rattle measures 23 inches in length.
Mirror image Mimbres inspired birds are painted on to the surface of this natural gourd. With the handle and horse hair tassels included the rattle measures 21" long.
The featured wall Katsina by gourd artist Robert Rivera is adorned with, wood, turquoise, fabrics, beads, leather and feather. This is signature for the artist who has been creating gourds into art for over 30 years.
Pictured is a wall hanging Katsina doll. The gourd is hand painted and is the head of the figure. Like most of Rivera's art, there are plenty of other materials that make up this one of a kind piece of "Gourd Art."
Thunderbird Rattle is hand painted on the natural color of the gourd. There is a square piece of Turquoise in the middle of the bird. The rattling comes from the dried seeds of the gourd fruit. It measures 7 inches in diameter and 21 inches long with the handle and horsehair tassels.
Natural, rich earth tones set the background for the striking processional of 10 figures moving around this pot. They are silhouettes with a lot of character. Some are Kokopelli, the flute player, the traveler and the others carry beautiful black and white pottery on their heads. This pots is 9 1/2 inches tall.
Functional and decorative describes Robert Rivera's Rattles. Beautiful on the wall, and a musical instrument when you shake them. The dried seeds of the gourd rattle inside, the outside is painted on the natural background of the gourd. The turtle has a snake skin shell and sterling and turquoise button.
Thirty years of exploring the art of gourds has been very rewarding for Robert Rivera. His gourds have passed the test of time. The designs range over many time periods and cultures. This rattle has the natural coloring of the gourd and four quaint quails moving over the surface.
