Luv Birds Art Project

These "Luv Birds" are made out of 3 - 4" gourds.  I've had these gourds for about a year and have been trying to decide what to make with them.  I came up with the bird design because they look like a bird shape to me, with the stem of the gourd as the beak.  They are kind of silly and fun - perfect for a kids art project.

I painted the entire gourd except for the stem with pearlized paint - but any acrylic paint would work. 

I used Crayola Model Magic orange air dry clay for the feet - just shape two small rounded triangles and put them right next to each other.  Press the gourd onto them sideways so that they will stand up on their own.  Usually the clay will just stick to the gourd, but you can also glue them on.

Clip the stem with scissors to the desired length and paint the beak.

Once the gourd is dry trace or draw a heart shape onto each side of the gourd for wings.  I used a fine point brush for the heart outline, then I used a toothpick dipped into paint to create all the dots which create patterns/flowers on and around the 'heart wings'.  Just have fun and play with different colors.  Go slow and allow the designs to dry before moving on to another color or the other wing.

I used a sharpie to create the eyes and then contrasting feathers were glued on for the tails.

Wouldn't they make a fun valentine for someone special?  They make me smile!