Self-taught Artist found on Lake Claiborne

As I glanced around the small wooden cottage, built almost 50 years ago on the edge of beautiful Lake Claiborne, there was not a single square inch that did not contain some sort of artistic endeavor created by its owner, Mrs. Glenda Tooke.  Glenda, a native of Claiborne Parish, decided that she was going to make her retirement years count by creating art.   Her art, which ranges from gourds to cypress knees, to emu eggs, and many things in between, reveals the love she feels for her family and her community.  Within each tiny treasure, is hidden a little bit of the history of Claiborne Parish and the connections this parish has with the families that grew up there.  Listening to Mrs. Tooke recite the stories behind each piece, had the effect of creating a personal timeline that enabled me to capture a glimpse of times gone by. 

Cotton patch gourd

Glenda’s art reflects snapshots of the quiet, everyday moments so reflective of the lifestyle found in this small rural community.  Her natural talent reflects the culture and environment of northwest Louisiana with a simplicity that exposes how even the most mundane activity can have monumental value in the eyes of others. 

Glenda not only creates art for herself, but shares her talent with others by forming the only organized gourd patch group in Louisiana, called the Lake Claiborne Gourd Patch, which is a member of the American Gourd Society.  This group, which uses its time to share ideas and explore the technique and art of gourding with each other, also succeeds in forming a bond of friendship that only the arts can provide.

Besides being talented in visual arts, Glenda is also artistically inclined in music.  In 1993, Tooke asked her husband, David, for a mandolin for Christmas.  She spent the next year in the back bedroom with her mandolin, instruction book, and a tape, learning to play.  This so-called “retirement project” has opened up a world of music that has become part of her life.  She plays with a group of local musicians, whose calendar stays booked well in advance.

It seems a shame that Glenda’s art is not available for the public to see, but she mainly creates art for her own enjoyment, as well as serving as a connection with her family and community.  Her involvement in the arts has led to a retirement lifestyle that is even busier, yet seems more fulfilling, than her earlier way of life.   When asked what her next arts activity will be, she gave a little wink and told me, “whatever comes along… you just never know what’s around the corner.”  I do know that this creative lady has not yet accomplished everything of which she is capable, and cannot wait to see what is next on her list.