I moved to Mexico in 1999 knowing that I would have to find some type of work to sustain myself since I was not yet of age to collect social security nor did I have any fixed income. It seemed likely I would end up working with computers in some capacity. Never did I expect to become a gallery owner and artist!

Some years before my move to Mexico, I had started a Mexican dollhouse miniature catalog - the Internet was just really starting to take off so a website was not an option at the time. It seemed almost as soon as the catalogs were delivered, I decided to move. Even though the catalog business never got off the ground, I hauled the 10 boxes to Mexico and I discovered, when rolled up, they were excellent fire starters for the fireplace.

I also hauled to Mexico, the thousands of tiny miniatures I had collected on my many trips to Mexico that were to be sold through the catalog. I had no idea what I would do with them, but to Mexico they came.

One day I noticed a man selling bules (gourds) along side the road in Ajijic. I thought to myself, wouldn't they make cute dollhouses if cut in half and filled with miniatures? Purchasing a few of the gourds, I went home and started working on a few ideas and was really stunned to discover how charming they were when filled with all the tiny Mexican objects. But, the outside of the gourds were rather boring and needed some life. I decided to try and paint them with lively designs and made another discovery - I could paint.

Here at Lakeside we have the Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA), a small group of artists who come together to promote their work. I joined the group and started showing my gourds at their monthly art shows. I did quite well and so expanded my designs and ideas.

About this time, my life took a huge turn. One of the local artists who had a very tiny gallery was leaving town and asked me if I wanted to rent his gallery. I had never considered going into a retail business but the rent was very inexpensive and the capital outlay to buy a few display cases was not much so I decided to take a chance and I took over the gallery space.

I had met Casey and Bob Luria through ASA. They, too, worked in gourds but were craftspeople extraordinaire, especially Bob. I knew I didn't have enough work to fill even the tiny gallery so I asked them if they cared to join me and put their work in the gallery as well. They accepted and Avant Gourd Gallery was born. Our little gallery thrived but eventually, Casey and Bob decided to return to the US.

Over time, Bob and Casey taught me many things about working with gourds. I began to branch out and started more elaborate pieces such as gourd bowls, birdhouses and eventually honed my skills to where I now create animals, birds, all types of various art objects.

I still have a gallery - but now it's a "virtual" gallery - where I sell Mexican folk and indigenous art along with my gourd art. Take a few minutes to look through the rest of the website to see all the wonderful art available from Mexico. And, I still sell Mexican dollhouse miniatures.

If you are interested in purchasing my work, contact me at 01152 376 765 7485 or email mariannecarlson@gmail.com