ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARCHETYPES: Looking Back at the Forms and Function of Ancient Body Wear July 13 2018, 16 Comments

These body ornaments ,found at the Archaeological Museum in Dublin, Ireland, date back to the Bronze Age. As a jeweler I feel one can't reinvent or improve upon pieces so complete in their function and cultural expression ; not only in form but in how the pieces fit the body.

The craftsmanship, materials and intention are intertwined masterfully.
 

I have always been attracted to ancient jewelry and yet I've always considered my self a contemporary jeweler. Fusing the past and the present has been my inspiration. I believe that body ornamentation and jewelry communicate, not only evidence of past and contemporary culture and social norms, but of the essence of the wearer and their inner power. Shapes and forms that I create , even intuitively , echo ancient forms found in these cultures. From their tools,jewelry, urns, masks,armor and architecture, I distill these forms to the most elemental. Yet the originals are as elemental and as pure as anything I may create.Above is a body of work that I created out of patinated bronze.

Below are large cowbells from the same era. I love these minimal forms. I've made many pieces that resemble bells for their simplicity and archetypal qualities. The hollow fabricated sterling earrings on the left echo the hollow bell form. Also below is a 6" disc sterling choker that I hand patinated. I love bold, armor-like pieces that signify strength yet also feel protective. And of course the chainmail; again a sign of strength and protective in function, yet graceful and sensuous in how it hangs on the body. 

I also visited the Archaeological Museum in Naples, Italy. Contemplating how long ago these cultures existed,and what they accomplished, astounds me. It's moving. The brilliance, the innovation, the sophistication of the art, design and craft are amazing. 

Below is an image of ancient  surgical and dental tools found at Pompeii dating back to whenever BC. Have our tools evolved much more? 

And the frescoe paintings..they figured out trompe-l'oeil....

 

 

HANDS OF TIME - A Look Into My Studio Practice April 25 2018, 18 Comments

A peak inside my practice and process...

A VISIONARY ANCESTOR - A Compassionate Initiative for Women April 18 2018, 16 Comments

I recently went down to the Ground Zero Museum in New York. While down there I visited St. Paul's Chapel, the site that welcomed survivors of the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers on 9/11/2001. It is also a landmark in New York City's history.

AN ARTICLE REDISCOVERED- A Thoughtful Review from MetalSmith Magazine February 02 2018, 17 Comments

I then attempted to translate my thoughts into physical objects. The goal was to have them be wearable. I created small objects that also became pendants. From inside out.

AN AWAKENING - How I Discovered My Passion for Art January 24 2018, 14 Comments

  

                                                                                                            

Little did I realize what an important gallery The Willard was and that the stable of artists represented were the current leaders in contemporary art such as Susan Rothenberg (top), Robert Moskowitz (left), Ken Price, and Elizabeth Murphy. A piece by Denise Green is on the right.