Just Gourd-Jus is the creation of artist Shirley Luhnow, who started painting gourds in 1973 after attending art school in San Diego California.

Shirley and her husband Bob had lived in Southern California all of their lives until moving to the Colorado town of Pagosa Springs, after Bob took early retirement from AT&T. They now work in their home studio over-looking the beautiful San Juan Mountains and travel around the country to participate in art festivals.

All designs are original and since gourds are a product of Mother Nature. No two gourds are exactly the same even though a generalized shape criteria is used when selecting gourds for each type design. Many hours go into every gourd from selection to cleaning and preparing the gourd for painting. If the gourd is cut for a container the inside has to be scraped and cleaned then prepared for paint and finish.

Shirley paints with acrylics as she does with oil paints so every color will have 3 to 5 coats before the detail work is done, this giving the finished gourd great depth of color. Each piece is signed and dated. All pieces are sealed with several coats of Varathane Finish.

Custom orders are welcome and Shirley will work from fabric, paint or wall paper swatches to create a one of a kind piece for her customers.

Just Gourd-Jus hand painted creations will last a life time or "2" with proper care. Satisfaction is guaranteed.