April 08

Painting in metal with fire.....well, maybe its an exaggeration, but it seems to be an applicable metaphor. Video is attached to see the process in action. The separate pieces of gold and silver are all meticulously assembled with tweezers and sweat in binding wire and pins, fluxed, and finally fused with a torch in a moment of trepidation and knife edge outcome. There may be an unusable puddle of metal after this, OR a one of a kind meditation and dedication to the moment of fusing and fire that i hope to share with others, in 18 karat gold, silver, and diamonds. What will the outcome be? Hopefully the finished piece will be available for viewing in the May of 08 posting!

March 08

Spirit in metal..........in stone..........what is it all about? The moment of merging between materials suggest worlds within worlds.....while the spirit of "gongshi" is exclusively reserved for natural stone formations in the Chinese tradition; here is a metal representation of a meditation to ponder. Viewing stones were meant as a meditation, a release, or a focal point for scholar studies. There is also the tradition of a 'witch's ball' in glass, to catch and contain playful spirits. The concepts are rooted in the collection and arrangement of elements, primarily by fire and other powerful natural forces, producing visual dramatic effect. The capture of the wandering eye, mind, and spirit obviously transcends many traditions and cultures, and speaks to our very biology enamored with complexity and nuance. Visual processing and the way we see is integrally tied up in the overall impression of the work; It is a joy to create such worlds for others to enjoy and ponder to their hearts delight......to wear in public, or appreciate in private.

February 08

I've been listening to an unabridged version of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit' for the last several weeks while i work in the studio........his eloquent and philological writings are a comfort while hammering away...........
'The Dwarves of Yore made mighty spells

While hammers fell like ringing bells

In places deep, where dark things sleep

In hollow halls beneath the fells

For ancient king and Elvish Lord

There many a gleaming golden hoard

They shaped and wrought, and light they caught

To hide in gems on hilt of sword

On silver necklaces they strung

The flowering stars on crowns they hung

The Dragon Fire, entwisted wire

They meshed the light of moon, and sun' -----

As the dwarves sang, the hobbit felt the love of beautiful things, made by hands, and by cunning, and by magic moving through him, a fierce and jealous love, the desire of the hearts of dwarves...........

I must be related to the dwarves, somehow. I am currently working away on a 'Diamond Waistcoat', influenced by the idea of lucre inappropriately appropriated by 'The Worm Smaug' in the aforementioned story. It won't be done by the shows in February, but it will be a stunning piece when complete. I just hope i can procure the funds to finish such a decadent work. I will have to get some of my diamonds from pawn (legacy diamonds), and see if i can get some more donations of broken /unwanted precious metals jewelry, or dental gold (repurposed materials). I think as a child, i always imagined being curled up, sleeping with the dragon on a golden couch of gold and silver spoils. On a more socially aware note, this story is an amazing treatise on complex adult issues, cleverly adapted for a child's understanding. The lessons to be gleaned from this very important literary work make it a timely learning story about greed, wealth, war, and politics. Treat yourself, and a child in your life to 'The Hobbit'. All Tolkien text above is the copyright Tolkien Estate and HarperCollins. Thank you for your mission to keep your family's gifts alive.

January 08

Such a restorative and wonderful new year. I was able to spend it in Big Sur, with friends, stars, fire, water, rocks, trees, and books. This is giving me the strength and inspiration to return full force into the studio. Sometimes i imagine the scapes of stone and metal i make could somehow, someday be as beautiful as the land and sea scapes in places like Big Sur. But the human conscious hand seems no match for beauty derived of natural, overwhelming forces, which is why i let the fire and metal direct the design in my work. It does far, far better than i could ever force with conscious attention.

I am starting off the New Year with another great commission piece, Some cuff links with the metal fusion which delights and surprises me, always. The ones pictured are larger in size than the collector wanted, so another set is being forged to suit their personal adornment needs. The interiors, will of course be different; no two diffusions are ever the same. They are coming along well and I love being back behind the flame, enticing noble metals to express themselves................revealing secrets, encouraging them to tell their tale.

I have gotten word that the work has been accepted for American Craft Council Exhibition in Baltimore February 2008. I feel quite overcome by this. I must drop into a space and let the very best of this work flow into physical form. I feel compelled to show in the West as well, so the work will be at the American Arts Festival in Santa Monica, also at the end of February 2008. With significant amounts of unglamourous toil, preparation, and personal expense of two shows on two coasts looming in front of me, it will be critically important to see through the strain to bring the very best work into being. This is always the goal. These venues will be a significant challenge for me, as my comfort is behind the flame and not amongst so many people; I am better at talking to metal, and hearing its whispers, not answering the songs of human voices. But challenge is one of life's requirements, and so will do my best to overcome my personal maladjustment. Funds From the modest artist grant i received last year will help with some of the travel and exhibition expenses.

December 07

Its been a wonderful year here in the studio......really really humbling, this first year as a full time artist and metalworker; i have really gotten to know how to live on a shoe string, and make the most of the resources at hand, so more can go back into the work and the studio; Scholarships for artist trainings have provided a wonderful base for venturing out into the gallery world; creative cabals with other artists such as Deb Chaney provide opportunities and impetus that are balanced with the inspiration found in solo studio explorations, research and technical readings. I have been blessed with art travel to amazing places this year, like SOFA in Chicago, and Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show. I was treated to the Renoir Exhibit while in Philadelphia that i will never forget.

I have been fortunate with a few excellent commissions, a small artist grant, and an announcement that my work will be an a Lark Books jewelry art and design book next year. Of course, i could have been blogging all of this, but my primary focus has been the work, and the people who are resonating with the work. How does the work affect them? As the work evolves, how does it fit into the larger picture of design, inspiration, and the community?

I am a fine art jewelry designer and maker of precious sculpture; i paint in metal with fire, and it is my mission to share the visuals with the world. Welcome to the world and worship of metal.