Donna Vargas developed a love for gourd art more than thirty years ago after purchasing a raw gourd at a local craft store. Intrigued by its natural form, she spent hours cleaning and preparing it before sketching a design. That first experiment resulted in her very first gourd creation—and marked the beginning of a lifelong artistic journey. Around that same time, she joined the American Gourd Society, eager to learn more about this unique medium.
Life responsibilities soon required her artistic pursuits to take a back seat. Donna devoted many years to raising her five children while also working nearly forty years as a registered nurse. Though her involvement in gourd art paused during this time, her interest never faded.
After retiring to Southern Arizona in 2002, Donna was finally able to dedicate herself fully to gourd art. What began as a rekindled interest quickly evolved into a passionate and disciplined practice. Encouraged by friends and family who proudly display her early works in their homes, she continued to refine her techniques and explore new creative directions.
Donna works with a wide range of techniques including coiling, teneriffe weaving, embossing, woodburning (pyrography), acrylic painting, and multiple forms of carving. She is especially known for her willingness to combine techniques within a single piece, allowing each gourd’s natural shape to guide the final design.
Her work is strongly influenced by Southwestern aesthetics, reflecting her lifelong connection to the region and her deep appreciation for Southwestern and Native American–inspired motifs. Donna has studied with nationally recognized gourd artists and authors Bonnie Gibson of Tucson, Arizona, and Robert Rivera of Santa Fe, New Mexico, receiving hands-on training in advanced gourd art techniques.
Donna is an active member of the American Gourd Society, Arizona Gourd Society, Southern Arizona Arts Guild (SAAG), and Tucson’s Old Pueblo Gourd Patch. Her work is currently exhibited at the SAAG Gallery of Gifts, located at 1745 E River Road, Suite 145 Tucson, Arizona 85718.