It's Been 10 Years, Part 6

one of my absolute favorite pictures from my original collections by Hank Drew, the Bamboo Necklace

One final 10-year post, and in this one, I want to say thanks to the people I consider part of my "team." My photographer, Hank Drew, my graphic designer, Brandon Dawley, my editor, Katey Schultz, and my mentor, Lori Talcott. I have worked with these wonderful people for years and I am grateful to them for their expertise, hard work, insight, and patience. Hank started taking pictures for me in 2004 with my production collections and is now taking beautiful images of my larger, more sculptural and installation-based work. I have known Brandon since high school and he's been creating logos, ads, banners, and posters for me for a long time. He also got my new website going. I met Katey at Penland in 1999 and recently she began editing for me from grad school essays to artist statements. Lori was one of my first teachers and continues to guide me today. In fact we had a long talk just a few days ago about grad school and, as always, she questioned, challenged, and supported me. These gifted, generous individuals know my work, they pay attention, they listen, they advise, and they communicate effectively and thoughtfully. There is a balanced, natural give-and-take that occurs between us and we work well together. I feel very fortunate to be able to work with them and consider each of them a friend, too. I hope you will take some time to visit the links included in this post and check out their incredible work.

 current installation shot by Hank Drew, 

Silently (I Saw a Robin Today)

the logo Brandon designed for my solo show I Live Here Now

Lori in her studio

Artist Statement

I am devoted to observing the world that surrounds me and questioning the human condition through the lens of my own life experience. Through a variety of traditional and exploratory multi-media techniques, I create jewelry, objects, and installations that hint at memory, time, loss, and the layered sense of self I believe we all carry. I intuitively select materials and forms to represent the intangible and to create abstract narratives. Using my own memory of people, places, and objects, I seek to communicate the duality of the human experience, convey emotion, and connect with others.

my most current artist statement written with help from Katey

Thanks for reading. 

And Further, In Between Pro-Shots

Tools for Making Decisions

A few weeks ago, I got professional images of In Between and Tools for Making Decisions. In Between was photographed by Leslie Williamson, a new photographer for me, based in San Francisco. The Tools images were taken by Hank Drew, whom I have worked with for years. Leslie also took a few images of I Live Here Now at Velvet da Vinci. I highly recommend visiting my website where you can see these images in huge, full-format detail. I have also updated my website with a current resume and statements, including the statement for In Between. Finally, I added a new series of images, called "11 Minutes," that I took on my 40th birthday in Stykkishólmur, Iceland.

In Between

"In Between explores transition through ideas of memory, choice, and place. Transition, or the ‘in between,’ requires patience and contemplation. We often make decisions using observation, logic, instinct, intuition, and collective experience to guide ourselves. Nine necklaces composed of handmade, found, and altered objects, form a group of decision-making tools based on the five traditional and four combined senses. These senses are the basic tools of observation and perception, problem-solving, and choice. One thousand unique paper bows that reference countless memories are suspended above the necklaces in a careful arrangement. The accumulation of these memories forms the foundation of intuition and instinct, complicated by the emotions associated with each experience. Together, the necklaces and bows provide a balanced approach to navigating transition." 

In Between: Intuition, detail

In Between

I Live Here Now at Velvet da Vinci

I Live Here Now at Velvet da Vinci

Tools for Making Decisions: Pain, detail, brass, Dolorimeter

 (a tool for measuring pain threshold)

Thanks for reading.

I Live Here Now, Part 10

I got my photographs back from Hank a few days ago and they are gorgeous. I can't wait to share them with you, but I do have to wait at least a few more weeks. Once we get closer to the show, I will start to publish some pictures. Right now, I'm working on my statement, titles, prices and I'm thinking about the display… 

Oh, and I made three more pieces! I added a necklace as a companion piece to another necklace and made matching earrings and ring for another piece. I was thinking about these piece before, but only in my periphery. Then I just ran out of time before my photography deadline. However, I couldn't let them go. Once I found out Hank could fit them in this week, I knew I had to follow through. I made them over the last two days and now they are off to Seattle. 

Finally, I broke my trusty Craftsman pliers while making chain. I've had these for years and was shocked that they just snapped.

Thanks for reading.

61 Hours in Seattle

About two weeks ago I flew to Seattle to work with my photographer, Hank Drew, as he took pictures of my solo show jewelry. The shoot took two days and in the evenings I spent time with some dear friends. I also ate at some of my favorite restaurants (Thaiku, Hi-Spot) and got a new tattoo. It was truly a whirlwind adventure!

I am especially happy that I was able to work with Hank. The shoot was a fascinating process to be a part of. Each image has to be just so: the lighting, the position or styling of the work. Plus, there are props to hold things in place and other tricks to make each piece look its absolute best.  As soon as the shoot was over I headed to Fedex and shipped a giant box to the gallery. I was on my way to the airport just a few hours later.

Thanks for reading.

Spectrum Pro-Shots

Here are some recent photos by Hank Drew of the pieces I made for Spectrum. I've posted a few different views on Flickr as well.

Thanks for reading.

how about one more...

another view of the bow cluster brooch with chain and tassel

thanks for reading.

and a few more

bow cluster brooch in light blue with tassel at
the society of arts and crafts

bow cluster brooch with chain and tassel at
the society for contemporary craft

white and hot pink necklace at
the society of arts and crafts

navy brooch at
the society for contemporary craft

thanks for reading.

new regal graffiti pro-shots

bow cluster brooch with teardrop available at
the signature shop

just got these back from hank...i'll post a few more tomorrow.

white and light blue necklace available at
the society for contemporary craft

small earrings in assorted colors available at
the society of arts and crafts,
the society for contemporary craft, and the signature shop

thanks for reading.

new images, older work

line drawing no. 5, 2008

i am finally getting around to documenting professionally a few pieces from the past. today a necklace from my awkward series and line drawing no. 5.

awkward series necklace, 2009

thanks for reading.

regal graffiti pro-shots

more new regal graffiti pro-shots by hank drew...



more on flickr.

thanks for reading.

the scrap series

more images from hank...the scrap series.



the entire series is on flickr and my website.

brooch pro-shot

just got this image of my latest brooch from my photographer hank drew. yep, he's good...

thanks for reading.

the barns pro images

last week my wonderful photographer, hank drew, took pictures of the work i made for the penland resident artist show "the barns." we have worked together for 5 years and he always does such an excellent job. i have posted my favorites here and the rest are on flickr.

thanks for reading.

graffiti pins pro shots

i just got these from my photographer, hank drew. the top is my favorite.

thanks for reading.

studio update

this week is an exciting one for me. i am updating my website with all the new pieces i designed back in january as well as making little changes here and there to the site itself. (thanks to all those who critiqued the site for me and for all the great ideas!) the new work and "improved" site will go live on friday. (and so will free shipping for a month!) i'm also busy filling orders to stock my shops. last week i completed my work for 21st century jewelry and sent the final three pieces (a necklace, a ring, and a pair of earrings) to my photographer, hank drew, in seattle. i did make these pieces more 3d, my goal as i mentioned awhile back. i am very pleased. it was a fun challenge figuring out how to make it all work. plus, spending all of last week on studio jewelry was so refreshing.

here's another sneak peak from my new collection pieces...a steel and gold long oval link necklace. thanks for reading.