Exhibition of Art Jewelry - Marilyn da Silva

Exhibitions of art jewelry are always

memorable events. Taboo Studio recently held

 an exhibit of new work created by eight jewelry

artists revolving around the theme of birds.

Titled "Bird by Bird" this exhibit

featured work by Marilyn da Silva,

Christina Goodman, Gabrielle Gould, Judith Hoyt,

Rika Mouw, Rone Prinz, Sarah Wilbanks,

and Kristi Zevenbergen

In this post we'd like to showcase

the work of one of these artists:

Marilyn da Silva.

It was very apropos that

she be a part of this show since

her body of work has been inspired

for more than a decade

by all things ornithological.

 Her pieces are rich and lush and tell

specific stories that are augmented

by her personal philosophy.

Here are her words regarding the

 brooches that are part

of this particular exhibition.

These brooches focus on the songbird family known as warblers. They are often difficult to see with the naked eye, but they can fill the air with song. These small treasures along with other songbirds are diminishing in number because of insecticides, feral cats and the loss of their environment due to human intervention. Hopefully, their beautiful songs will continue to enchant us throughout time.

We feel this brooch is one of her prettiest.

Called "Serenata III (Bay Breasted Warbler)."

It features materials such as textured sterling silver

and copper handpainted with gesso and colored pencil.

 It's an example of her wonderful designs

that could easily be displayed as art but

 also happens to be wearable as jewelry.

Here's another lovely example of her work.

This brooch is called "Serenata I

 (American Redstart)."

And this brooch is called "Serenata II

(Black and Yellow Spotted Warbler)."

It's just as delicate and lovely

as the others.

This artist is a master at using nontraditional

coloring techniques on textured metals, and it's

 her immense skill and talent that allows each piece

 to seem alive with subtle, exquisite details.

Who could resist?

Carol Windsor Jewelry

It's easy to get inspired when an artist

combines a love of vibrant color with a

passion for bold design.

Carol Windsor creates vivacious jewelry

made of sterling silver and paper,

and she has honed her repertoire

over the years showcasing

delicate blossoms and leaves.

Each piece is light, airy and almost

translucent.

It's always interesting to understand

how an artist creates their work.

This jewelry artist clearly explains her process

of painstakingly creating each piece by hand

and transforming raw materials into colorful

foliage that is light and airy:

"I developed a technique of laminating sterling silver between 2 to 5 layers of very thin acid free paper. The metal has been oxidized a dark color and shows through the translucent paper like veins in a petal or leaf. Each petal or leaf is made individually. A wire frame is made defining the shape. It is placed on a small square of paper. Small wire segments are arranged within it. Another paper square or two are placed on top and then the “sandwich” is sealed with an archival glue. Once dry the petals and leaves are trimmed, sprayed with an acrylic and bent into shape. The “twigs” which connect the parts are textured with a diamond burr, oxidized, then dimpled with a burr to suggest a spot where a branch has broken off."

Here are a few delightful examples of her lovely work.

These petals are lovely and such a peace-inducing color.

We like the energetic colors in this piece.

We love the range of spectral colors in this necklace.

These petals are translucent and lighter than air.

And so pretty.

We're excited by the range of color

and intricate, life-like designs.

It's apparent that

creativity blooms everywhere.

Enjoy!

Lauren Pollaro Jewelry

A dear friend of ours recently sent us

a photo of work created by assemblage

artist Lauren Pollaro.  She knew we would really

enjoy seeing this particular piece of jewelry

and she was right!  We were immediately

intrigued by the choices of color, texture

and design. Everything just seems to

work together effortlessly.

We like the handmade aesthetic that is

apparent in her work - it provides a strong sense

of connection to her creative process.

This artist's forte is creating harmonious

sculptural jewelry using various mixed materials.

Acrylic paints, sterling silver, semi-precious

stones, and found objects are often

 included in her work. Her pieces also feature

such disparate elements as

vitreous enamels, collage, and epoxy resin.

It seems like she uses almost anything

in her abstract compositions.

And the effects are all beautiful.

Here is a brooch/pendant made with

copper, sterling silver, and acrylic paints.

We especially like the sgraffito-like effect

she creates on the various surfaces.

We also find this piece interesting - it features

found objects, plastic, a twig,

sterling silver and paint.

There are many pieces in her collection

to admire.

This necklace includes many elements

including wood,

epoxy resin and pearls.

This one incorporates enamel on copper.

We're inspired by how

her eclectic selection of materials

just seems to come together effortlessly.

But we know that work that appears

effortless rarely is as effortless as it seems.

For those who are intrigued

by delightful colors, layered compositions,

and the handmade aesthetic this artist

successfully combines all this and

more to create sculptural works of art

meant to be worn as jewelry.

Enjoy!

Tia Kramer Jewelry

Paper is one of those mediums that has

never-ending possibilities.

The different ways in which it can be used

and assembled into countless shapes

can boggle the mind.

For Tia Kramer handmade paper is an obsession.

Her jewelry mobiles, easily labeled as Calder-esque,

are self described as "performative sculptures for

one’s ears, architecture for the body."

By combining sterling silver structures with handmade

paper, she creates pieces that are sculptural, 

ethereal and energetic.

Having honed her repertoire over the years,

starting with large-scale suspended-art installations,

Tia's work has evolved over the years

to become what one might call

'minuscule art installations' 

of personal adornment.

 Her artistic metamorphosis now results in 

jewelry designs that are buoyant, 

translucent and durable.

She creates her jewelry using her own

handmade paper and sterling silver.

It's all cold fabrication -

 bending the wire and wrapping the paper -

producing a soul-satisfying result.

Multiple layers and intricate designs

combine to form really enchanting pieces.

Here is a complex combination comprised

of a necklace and earrings that interconnect. 

They can be worn separately or together.

Either way they are

magnificent statement pieces.

We love the bright, cheery colors

and the bounciness of the design.

This neckpiece contains a necklace,

bracelet and brooch.

The interplay of positive and negative

space is intriguing.

Here's the bracelet on its own.

We love these earrings.

And these earrings, too.



We adore the endless combinations and permutations

created in her work.

We also love the myriad simpler designs that she creates.

 Regardless of size and complexity,

each is filled with charm

energy and motion.

The bottom line is we'd love to collect them all.

Enjoy!

Joanne Thompson Jewelry

We've recently found jewelry made

by Joanne Thompson. Focusing on small metal rings

 linked together forming a mesh pattern

her work resembles chainmail.

While some metal jewelry can seem dense

and heavy, this artist's work gives a feathery light

 impression. It's this sense of lightness and

delicacy that we admire.

Made with sterling silver each piece uses hundreds of

rings linked and soldered together.

Some pieces are oxidized,

some are hammered. Each rhythmic, fluid design

is intricately weaved into a signature tube shape.

Here is a wonderful example of a bracelet that

when worn shows her three-dimensional

tube shape.  As is apparent in this picture,

when not worn it collapses

into a puddle of loops.



This lariat necklace is very full and voluminous

with hundreds of loops.

We like how the contrast of oxidized and non-oxidized

rings make it look like a scarf. 

By sheer repetition she creates rhythmic, fluid

designs that look and feel elegant.

The artist's signature tube shape can

be easily seen in this necklace.

Visually comples and tactilely interesting

each piece is rich in design and

very light in weight.

Enjoy!

Vivienne Martin Jewelry

Jewelry made with non-precious materials
can be as beautiful and durable as any.
Vivienne Martin has developed a unique

approach to using embroidery to create bold

jewelry that is light, feathery and delicate.

 Made from an eclectic collection of

materials such as fine wire, nylon, ribbon mesh,

monofilament fibers, mohair and rayon

these pieces capture

the imagination.

There are so many pieces in her

current collection to admire.

This feathery piece is a great example

of her lovely draping style.

 

So many of her pieces have feathery textures.

Lacy and romantic

and full of three-dimensional texture.

Intricate and delicate

and buoyant.

These soft layers add a dreaminess to

one's wardrobe.

 

She uses a very light hand to design these rather

 theatrical adornments. 
They'll add a note of romance and mystery
to a special occasion.