The Gourd Guru

We here at Foothills are immensely proud to have enjoyed a delightful working relationship with the world traveler and creative genius Stoey Stout, affectionately known as The Gourd Guru, for several years now. The artistry and innovation of Stoey continues to amaze and inspire us on a daily basis. His unique creations consistently draw a multitude of oohs and ahhs from people who appreciate his talent. In conversations I’ve had with individuals from all corners of the globe—not just within the borders of our country but from around the world—a surprising percentage of the time, they are utterly blown away by the captivating beauty that the Gourd Guru brings to their eyes. It all began when he co-hosted a vibrant senior travel club event called Arabian Nights, which sparked the creative inspiration for the remarkable formation of the Pyrotechnical Fire and Light Performance Group. This eclectic group joined the Artist Colony of Zanesville and continues to dazzle audiences with their performances at various events. However, the concept of using light as a true art form really resonated with Stoey, and during a trip to enchanting Turkey in 2015, he stumbled upon some wonderfully crafted lamps. Upon seeing these fabulous lights, he fell head over heels in love with the way they cast intricate designs on surrounding walls, creating a mystical, meditative half-light that captivated all who experienced it. He wished to bring home as many as possible but quickly realized he couldn’t afford a whole bunch of them. It was then that he pondered the idea of making one himself. Thus, the imaginative Gourd Guru Project was born, adding yet another layer to his artistic repertoire, producing pieces that also create that enchanting, mystical half-light, which is profoundly meditative. Every April, Stoey carefully selects and buys the gourds after they have dried in the fields over the winter months. He meticulously hauls these gourds out, hand-drawing intricate Middle Eastern inspired designs on them. Once the designs are perfected, the holes are drilled into the gourds, and colorful beads are installed. Those vibrant glass beads nestled within the gourds are actually imported directly from Turkey. This means they are authentic Turkish lamp beads, resulting in a lighting experience that is evocative of the enchanting ambiance found in Turkey itself..

But hold on there, we absolutely can't forget to mention the wonderfully creative and whimsically crafted gourd birdhouses that are also made by the talented Stoey. You may have noticed them displayed prominently and cheerfully on the front porch of Foothills Studio, where they catch the eye of everyone passing by. These delightful birdhouses have truly become a staple here at Roscoe Village, drawing in visitors from near and far. If you pay careful attention during your next visit, you'll notice that our inventory changes frequently right out on the porch because so many people fall head over heels in love with them and take them home to charming locations all over the US. Stoey is constantly coming up with fresh, colorful designs that brighten up our porch, and we see many repeat customers returning for these unique treasures, as not only are they a fantastic gift idea that stands out, but I'm pretty sure they are also being collected by many!