Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Paper and Structure Working Together - Jessica Beels Jewelry

Jewelry created by Jessica Beels is
innovative and imaginative.
She is a prolific artist with a distinctive style
that's recognizable by her signature
handmade paper and steel creations.

 On her blog she describes the many stages of her process
from building the armature, to making the flax and
mulberry paper, and finally adding surface treatments.
What is especially enlightening is to understand how
part of the process includes having
the stretched paper distort the form of
the underlying structure as it dries.



I make handmade paper from overbeaten flax and mulberry (kozo and gampi) fiber and place it, still wet, over reed or wire armatures. The paper shrinks radically as it dries, leaving a taut, transparent skin on the pieces. I particularly like the way high-shrinkage paper distorts its armature, lending an element of unpredictability to the process of completing each piece.  Often, I print the wet paper with inks and paints and, when the paper is dry, infuse the surface with wax to seal it and enhance its translucence. I am intrigued with how the opaque and sometimes reflective quality of the inks contrasts with the glow of the paper fibers.



Here are some examples of how
diffused light passes through the paper
and shows the hidden structure
underlying the design.






One can see how the paper
shrinks and wraps tightly
around her frameworks.





Continuous structural experimentation
has led this artist to
explore ever more diverse,
unpredictable and intricate designs.


Complex and creative things emerge from
these explorations, and by
using a narrow color range the focus
is directed to the shapes and textures.





It's obvious that her work is
inspired by many biological forms.
It allows for endless exploration of
nuanced shapes and silhouettes.



We found out on the artist's website that
some of her newest pieces are
 currently on exhibit
at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Connecticut.
x
The exhibition is called,
"Bijoux: The Origins and Impact of Jewelry"
and explores a broad view of the materials
that have been used in jewelry
over the centuries "from bones and fossils, to diamonds
and . . . explores the ingenuity of artists
to create adornment from a host of materials,
from the common to the sublime."
x
This artist's contribution to the exhibit is
" a three-piece jewelry set of paper-over-steel
work with pearls and gold leaf. The necklace is a spiky
Elizabethan-collar-inspired piece with echoes
of sea urchins and horseshoe crabs;
the bracelet is an open sea urchin form;
the earrings are a two-tiered spiky blossom form."


If you look closely, you can see the pearls
she has hand sewn into the corners.
What she doesn't mention is the fact that
these pieces are made with
 seaweed-infused papers.
It adds to the marine life aesthetic.



There is no doubt her innovative and distinctive
 style stands out in any crowd.
We can almost feel the spirit of the
artist in each piece.
x
"Bijoux: The Origins and Impact of Jewelry"
 runs until March 11, 2012
and more information can be found at the
Bruce Museum's website.
x
You can also find additional images
and information at the artist's website.



Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Making a Statement - Francisca Bauzá Jewelry

Statement jewelry is meant to make a statement.
Necklaces created by Francisca Bauzá
make a bold statement - both in terms
of color and size.

First, let's talk about the colors.
Simply stated, they are beautiful.
 This artist's collection features enameling
 on copper and silver.
Some of the colors are 
 gentle and muted.
They look like gently brushed
watercolors - a mere whisper of color.
Then there are the deep jewel tones
that almost vibrate with intensity.
It all works together in visual harmony.

Now let's talk about the size.
The separate components
are fabricated in a range of sizes
and when all the components come
together the result is a
gorgeous, oversized
statement piece that
can take your breath away.

The combination of size and color
creates a necklace that makes
an audacious statement.
It's a perfect combination.

Here's an example. 

This floral necklace uses a range of
warm tones from the
 palest shades of blush, carnation and rose
to deeper shades of ruby, magenta,
scarlet and russet.






This pleasing palette provides luster and depth
that is wonderfully captivating.



 

And the effect when worn is bold and strong.
It's a real show stopper.





Other pieces in this collection feature
colors like topaz, amber,
goldenrod and mahogany.
Again, each component blends
harmoniously with the others.



Working with a cooler range of color
also provides
interest and visual intrigue.

Here's a gorgeous example of her work in blue tones.
 From the tiniest hint of robin's egg blue and aquamarine,
to dabs of cerulean and splashes of turquoise,
each color adds depth and interest to the necklace.





This necklace is stunning.
The play of light and color
in each translucent color creates
luscious, glossy surfaces with mottled effects.





Creating variegated hues and patterns
on each metallic component allows
the artist freedom to combine
color and effect in endless combinations.
The final result is eye catching.





As I said earlier,
statement jewelry is meant to make a statement.
If you make a statement be prepared
for a reaction.
These pieces will
always spark a conversation.
And attract lots of attention.
x
Don't say I didn't warn you.
x
For more photos of this
collection you can visit the artist's website.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Exhibition - From Minimal to Bling

The current exhibition at the
Society of Arts and Crafts
in Boston, MA is called,
From Minimal to Bling: Contemporary Studio Jewelry.”
 It runs from November 4 – December 30, 2011
xx
xx
This biennial event is described as presenting
“the best of contemporary American studio jewelry
 and demonstrating the range of conceptual and technical
approaches being employed by 33 invited artists."
xx
Those 33 artists include:
xx
Efharis Alepedis, Amuck, Allyson Bone,
 Klara Borbas, Melissa Borrell, Jessica Calderwood,
Joseph Churchman, Lisa and Scott Cylinder, Fosterweld,
 Don Friedlich, Michele A. Friedman, Charity Hall,
Rebecca Hannon, Ian Henderson, Kevin Hughes,
Chris Irick, Laura Jaklitsch, Deb Karash,
Satomi Kawai, Judith Kinghorn, Andrew L. Kuebeck,
Brooke Marks-Swanson, Toby Milgrim,
Gustav Reyes, Marissa Saneholtz, Claire Sanford,
 Leslie A. Schug, Melissa Stiles, Cynthia Toops,
 Myung Urso, Jennifer Wall,
Stacey Lee Webber and Joe Wood.

With materials ranging from
enamel to plastic to metal
and themes ranging the spectrum from
organic motifs to techology,
this exhibit brings together
a wide range of work
appealing to a wide range of tastes.
The name 'From Minimal to Bling'
is an appropriate appellation for
such an interesting show.

Here are a couple of images
from this exhibit.

Charity Hall


Jessica Calderwood



Here’s an opportunity to see
an eclectic collection of work from a
diverse group of studio artists.

For more information about this exhibition
you can visit the SAC website.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Leather Flowers Everywhere - Tanya Igic Jewelry

No need to wait
until spring to see bright splashes of color.
There are flowers everywhere in the
 hothouse of leather-made
blooms created by Tanya Igic.

This artist knows a thing or two
about form, whether in the structure of
a fuchsia or a spring-fresh
chrysanthemum.

By trial and error, this self-taught artist
has learned her craft over the years.
And she has certainly learned it well.

Working with fine-grade leather
her design process involves a lengthy
set of procedures to cut and bind many
layers of the material to create a
single petal.

This artist has developed a keen eye
for graceful silhouettes.
When embellished with sterling silver
each bloom seems to come to life.





The work is labor intensive.
The results are beautiful.






Simplicity of line and form
can be seen in each bloom.







Each flower looks as though it
was just snipped from the garden.







Picturesque and dainty.
One almost expects to see
dewdrops on the petals.







These full-bodied compositions
will remain fresh forever.







Each burst of color
brings springtime just
a little bit closer.






Leather jewelry can be interpreted
 in so many ways.
We admire how this artist's interpretation
 includes a strong sense of drama and élan.

You can see more at the artist's website.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Exhibition - This is How I Remember It - Amy Tavern Jewelry

I have to admit that
when I took a look, it caught my eye.
Then I read the description and it
captured my imagination.

There is an exhibition on view
this month at
Velvet da Vinci Gallery
of jewelry created by Amy Tavern called,
 
 
This exhibit is comprised of two separate
yet related bodies of work.
 
 
The first series is called,
"Fabricated Memory: Jewelry Box, 1980."
It's inspired by the jewelry box that the
artist played with as a child.
It belonged to her grandmother.
This imagery conjures up a strong sense of
familial memory and connection.
These are the pieces that
grab hold of my imagination.
 
 
The second series is called,
"Collected Memories: 1974-Present"
and is based on her own collection of jewelry.
 
 
Separate yet interrelated, these series both
relate to the artist’s journey to
connect with the jewelry of her past
and to recreate it as she relates to it today.
As the artist explains,

The jewelry that has come in and out of my life over the years has had a profound effect on me, fueling and sustaining my desire to be a jeweler. These special pieces changed my perspective on jewelry and form part of my personal history.
 
 
Here are a few pieces from the
"Fabricated Memory: Jewelry Box, 1980"
portion of the installation.



One can see she is looking at
repetitve patterns and
dismantling components
into simple elements.


 
 
As with so many personal memories
it's the simple pieces with simple shapes
that we remember most.



 
 
Her process includes a seemingly random yet deliberate
layering, arranging and shaping of design.




It’s interesting to study the modular components
of her pieces and realize that
she is tapping into a personal space
through her work.
 
 
Now, let's take a look at a couple of
pieces from the
"Collected Memories: 1974-Present"
portion of the exhibit.
 
 
The artist explains these pieces as
"materials I have collected and are assembled
in such a way as to emphasize the
impermanence and incompleteness of memory."




Each piece is sculptural and textural.


I admire artists who are willing to
think beyond traditional jewelry design
to create work that is both
personally significant and artistically edgy.
 
 
This artist's work seems ideally balanced for
an exhibition that is one part artistic process
and one part biographical experience.
 
 
I see this work as a celebration of family.
Of connection. Of authenticity.
 
 
This artist is willing to explore
a personal connection to her
work and embraces the depth
of its significance in her life.
Through artist's like her, we all
learn a bit more about ourselves.
It's inspiring.

To see more photos of her work
you can visit her website.

The exhibition runs until
November 30.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Birds of a Feather Flock Together - Gabrielle Gould Jewelry

Birdwatching is an interesting
 hobby for many people.
Happily, one doesn’t need a
field guide and binoculars
to view the humorous collection of
birds and other wildlife
created by Gabrielle Gould.

Taking inspiration from
the woodlands and wetlands
around her home in Florida,
this artist creates
little critters of all types,
but it's her adorable feathered friends
that we find absolutely enchanting.
Handcrafted in sterling silver
and embellished with enamels, mixed metals,
and occasionally feathers, each delightful
bird in this menagerie has an individual character,
 and each brings cheerfulness and
a strong dash of whimsy.

Over the years we've seen many of her avian creations.
Here are some of our favorite pendants.






They are similar to one another
yet very different.




Some are bright and colorful
while others display more subdued
colorations.



 


All are cute, adorable and sweet.
And irresistible.








Viewing this jewelry
is a lot like embarking on
an avian adventure.



We love how this artist's style is easily
recognizable and each piece brings
a smile to one's face.

It's a fun way to wear jewelry
and connect with nature at the same time.

More jewelry can be seen