Everything
I’ve ever done, over my lifetime as an artist, has come
together in making jewelry: from the Rembrandt etchings that inspired
me as a child, then sculpting, pottery, drawing, design, to computer
graphics, digital photography and printmaking. Now I can use it
all. Jewelry allows me to create art on the small scale that has
always delighted me.
It all started years ago when my printmaking tutor showed me his
small copper etching plates.They looked like jewelry to me, and
I fell in love. Inspired, I made earrings from my cancelled etching
plates. But the limited color palette soon bored me. That was
before I discovered the infinite color and variety of glass.
Now I work with glass in its broadest forms - fused
glass, lampworked glass beads, enamels - combined with metal.
Most recently I’ve studied enameling, which
is glass on metal. The transparent, Japanese enamels I use play
with the light as it reflects through the layers and bounces
off the silver beneath.
I use different processes to get the textures I
want, from Solar etching plates, to carving polymer clay, or
linoleum, or pressing different materials into the metal clay.
By nature, I’m drawn to textures and patterns. I live
close to five temperate rain-forests, and on my walks I notice
things like the twisting vines, the pattern of leaves against
the sky, contrasts - shiny leaves against our dark-red, volcanic
soil or lichen on rocks.
In the city, I’m drawn to linear forms and
industrial patterns: architecture, skyscrapers, bridges. I carry
a sketchbook and camera with me everywhere—making notes,
drawing, photographing.
When I’m working in the studio, I’m
not aware of time passing; the creative process just consumes
me. I’m happiest starting out with just an idea for a
piece; preferring to interact with the materials as I work,
let them impose themselves on my design to a certain extent.
What’s most exciting is getting the materials
to work together, since glass can crack when combined with metal.
Once a piece of jewelry comes out of the kiln, and the glass
and metal have become an integral part of each other, when the
process has worked, I love that. Or, when I try a new process
and it all comes together even better than I imagined…it’s
just magic.
|
