Guest Star #133…Renee Zettle-Sterling

from the series "Objects of Mourning: Untidy"

I'm switching gears for today's GS post by revisiting jewelry with the work of Renee Zettle-Sterling. I've been talking with Renee about my work over the last few weeks, looking to her for insight because I admire her work, but specifically, because of its highly-personal content and Renee's use of sentimental, priceless, irreplaceable clothing. For my new work I have been using irreplaceable things, so speaking with Renee has been very helpful.

"Object of Mourning: Permanence #1"

Renee makes jewelry, objects, sculpture and installation. There is also a performative aspect to many of the works shown through narrative photographs. I'm interested in how she creates with different forms and materials and admire her ability to convey experiences and emotions. The work is labor intensive, too, and I imagine this is an important part of the process, adding even more depth and complexity.

"Object of Mourning: Recall #1"

I met Renee a few years ago at the ECU metals symposium. She was the key note speaker that weekend and I really enjoyed her lecture. She talked about objects expressing "universal content" and I think about that a lot still. The source of much of the content in her work is death and mourning. Her experiences are unique to her, but universal with all of us. I think her pieces serve as a way for her to understand and accept and further serve as a vehicle to communicate and connect with others. Her pieces are sensitive, beautiful and articulate.

a page from my sketchbook, notes taken during her lecture

from the series "Necklaces in Mourning"

from the series "Objects of Mourning: Untidy"

from the series "Mourning Brooches"

You can read this article about her use of death and mourning as inspiration. It's a good introduction to what she does. 

Thanks for reading.

Thank You

"I Live Here Now" closes tomorrow and so I've been reflecting on it even more in the last few days. This morning I started thinking about all the people who helped me with the show and I decided I wanted to publicly thank each of them. So much of what I do in my studio is private and solitary, but there comes a time when I have to reach out to friends and colleagues for advice or to simply think out loud. From talks during dinner to phone calls to Skype sessions to emails to hours of Facebook messaging…from thoughtful conversations to championing me...deepest thanks to all of you.

Renee Zettle-Sterling

Jen Townsend

Ele Annand

John Rogers

Raissa Bump
Amanda Lee

My friends who participated in "We Walk on the Same Ground"

Renee Zettle-Sterling

Ele Annand

Adrienne Smart

Catherine Sellergren

Beth Schaible

Rachel K. Garceau

Lisa Norton

Courtney Dodd

Allisyn Levy

Kelly Kelbel

Angie Terry

Raissa Bump

Tara Locklear

Day Hixson

Jenna Warburton

Jen Townsend

Jill Bourne

Janna Marinelli

Janet Link

Suzanne Pugh

Claire Buck

Crystal Thomas

Shava Lawson

Four Gallery and Karin Roy Andersson

My parents and my brother

Sharon and Robert Tavern and Mark Tavern

Thanks for reading.

Crush

Ian Henderson, Box, steel, bronze, sterling silver

My Line Drawing Necklace No. 8 will be part of a one-night only exhibition at The Fuller Projects in Bloomington, IN tonight. This invitational show, titled "Crush," includes the work of Renee Zettle-Sterling, Jim Bove, Lindsay Fisher, Laura Wood, Gary Schott, Soyeon Kim, Marissa Saneholtz, Jonas Mace, Jennifer Wells, Ian Henderson, Raissa Bump, and myself. It was organized by University of Indiana Bloomington grad students Galatea Kontos and Sara Brown.

Sara and Galatea invited two metalsmiths they admire to be in the show and then we were asked to invite two more metalsmiths we admire. I was invited by Galatea and I asked Ian Henderson and Raissa Bump to join me. Ian's incredible box pictured at the top and Raissa's lovely brooch below will be on view. I am so impressed with the group of artists--all amazing talents and so varied. I am sure it will be a beautiful and interesting exhibition.

 

Raissa Bump, Brooch, copper, enamel, fique

"Crush"

The Fuller Projects

525 E. 9th Street 

Bloomington, IN 47408

7:30-9:30

Thanks for reading.

Now THAT was Good! (The 2012 Edition.)

I attended "Material Topics: Shifting Traditions" at East Carolina University over the weekend and once again this year the ECU metals students put on one amazing symposium! I taught two classes on Sunday, beginning each with a talk about my work and process and then set my students to task making a piece of jewelry in one hour using things like paper, leather, staples, and tape. When the time was up, we talked about the process and what they learned. Both classes were packed--the largest groups I have taught so far, maybe 30 or so each! I was incredibly pleased with the work that was made and very happy with the comments and questions discussed during the talk--insightful, thoughtful, and inspiring. I was also psyched that many of my colleagues were in attendance. That means a lot to me! Thanks to everyone who participated in my classes and for working so hard! It really was a pleasure to lead you all in the workshop and share my experience with you.

top detail Galatea Kontos, bottom detail Melanie Smith

I attended a fantastic mechanisms workshop with Angela Bubash. Angela demonstrated a clever pin mechanism and a simple prong setting using jump rings. Her constant attention to detail and craftsmanship was wonderful to observe in person. Her knowledge is extensive.

I also listened to several lectures including the keynote by Renee Zettle-Sterling. Renee articulated many interesting points about objects, non-verbal communication, and memory.

And finally, I got to have some good talks with ECU grad students, Kat Cole, Rachel Qualliotine, and Leia Zumbro. Kat is currently on thesis and has asked me to advise her along the way. Rachel, a brand new grad, is trying all sorts of things out--enameling, felting, found objects--and wanted to revisit some of the ideas we discussed when we talked about her work over the summer here at Penland. Leia and I also had a lovely visit, talking about her work and process. It's moments like these that make what I do so worthwhile.

LOTS more on Flickr. 


(A note about the images to my students: I posted as many as I could. Unfortunately, some were overexposed or blurry and so I did not include them. If you do not see images of your work it is only because of my poor photography skills and I apologize.)


Thanks for reading.

The Pearl Piece Update #5

from Philip Sajet, Amsterdam, Netherlands

For today's update (and my last update for a bit) I would like to share my list of wonderful, generous contributors. Thanks to everyone who has donated so far. It's been incredibly gratifying to open each of your packages and find all your beautiful pearls and kind words. Thank you! I will add to the list as more pearls arrive...

Chris Keener, Huron, OH

Terry Taylor, Candler, NC

Lisa Norton, Shoreline, WA

Renee Zettle-Sterling, Coopersville, MI

Amy Hockett, Charlotte, NC 

Bonnie Lambert, Helena, MT 

Lucia Tremont, Syracuse, NY 

Rebbecca Tomas, Seattle, WA 

Charlene Schneider, Maineville, OH 

Ellen Vontillius, Swannanoa, NC 

Denise McCarthy, Houston, TX 

Gill Miller, Lancaster Park, England

Shannon Cobb-Tappan, Dunedin, FL

Mark Fenn, Capel Iwan, Wales

Jowita Allen, Chevy Chase, MD 

Baba Barnett, Raleigh, NC 

Shava Lawson, Seattle, WA 

Janna and Leah Marinelli, Traveler’s Rest, SC

Kelly Johnston, Bainbridge Island, WA

Kathy Clark, Reykjavík, Iceland 

Laura Siegel, Brooklyn, NY

Jannie Rozema, Wageningen, Netherlands

Rachel Ehlers, Lake Ridge, VA

Tom McCarthy, St. Louis, MO

Anastasia Young, London, England 

Jane Wells Harrison, Lenoir, NC

Janet Link, Raleigh, NC

Jenny Baughman, Roswell, GA

Lisa Juen, Utica, NY

Hilary Pfeifer, Portland, OR

Susie Luyet, Paia, HI

Sarah Powell, Oberhaching, Germany

Liz Willis, Pirton, England
Philip Sajet, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Jen Townsend, Pittsford, NY

Heather Allen, Raleigh, NY

Raissa Bump, San Francisco, CA 

Michael Magno, Brooklyn, NY 

Casey Shepard, Los Angeles, CA

Eileen Wallace, Athens, GA 

Kathy Brughelli, Middletown, RI 

Marianne Dages, Philadelphia, PA 

Fritz Maierhofer, Vienna, Austria 

Dan Price, Chicago, IL

Mary Quin, Decatur, GA

Claire Sommers Buck, Austin, TX 

Linda Callahan, Gloversille, NY

Katie Rosenthal, San Diego, CA 

David Chatt, Penland, NC

Chris Boland, Sheffield, England 

Rachel Davis, Milwaukee, WI 

Kris Baker, Seattle, WA 

Maria Phillips, Seattle, WA 

Lori Hawke-Ramin, LaFayette, NY 

Michele Tuegel, St. Petersburg, FL

Kelsey Simmen, San Francisco, CA

Erin Wheeler, Johnstown, NY

Crystalyn Brennan, Brooklyn, NY

Elisa Bongfeldt, Berkeley, CA

Stephanie Voegele, Milwaukee, WI 

Adrienne Smart, Lincoln, NE

Susan Owen, Vilas, NC

Elizabeth Brim, Penland, NC

Meadow Thurston (in memory of)

Carolina Apolonia, Middelburg, Netherlands

Rebecca Illet, Cambridge, England

Kathy Edwards Hayslett, Coralville, IA

Madeleine Veillet, Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

Virginia Hungate-Hawk, Seattle, WA
Tracy Scott, Atlanta, GA
Michelle Smith-Lewis, Seattle, WA
Sarah Rachel Brown, Philadelphia, PA
Jenna Warburton, Seattle, WA
Paul Casey, Seattle, WA
Lisa Macutchan Gray, Seattle, WA
Lori Talcott, Seattle, WA
Catherine Chandler, Portland, OR
Stacey Mosteller and Noreen Coveny,
Endicott and Richfield Springs, NY
Holinka Escudero, Mexico City, Mexico
Jane Ponsford, Esher, England
Jan Smith, Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada
Mary Wolaniuk, Boulder, CO
Christina Carlbaum, Gnarp, Sweden
Louise Perrone, Vancouver, BC Canada
Devon Matlock, San Francisco, CA
Siri Kvalfoss, Tyssedal, Norway
Claire MacDonald, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Emily Kidson, London, England
Michele Wyckoff Smith, London, England
Tara Locklear, Raleigh, NC
Robin Kranitzky and Kim Overstreet, Richmond, VA
Natascha Bybee, Seattle, WA
Natalia Araya, Valencia, Spain
Katja Prins, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Diego Richardson Nishikuni, London, England
Andrea Wagner, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Lylli Meredith, Seattle, WA
Elle Sharifpour, San Francisco, CA
Miri Admoni, Sde Tzvi, Israel
Bonnie Levinthal, Philadelphia, PA
Lien de Clercq, Antwerp, Belgium
Melody Woodnutt, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Katharina Schneider, Blönduós, Iceland
Karen Vanmol, Antwerp Belgium
Yvette Dibos, San Diego, CA
Devon Clark, Palm Harbor, FL

Amy Sledge, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Amy Bishop, Aptos, CA 

Anonymous, Long Beach, CA

Anastasia Egorova Shelyakina, Illes Balears, Spain

Cathy Woodall, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, England

Caitlin Skelcey, Urbana, IL

Sam Woehrmann, San Francisco, CA

Rachel Weidinger, Oakland, CA

Hilde De Decker, Antwerp, Belgium
Kit de Sousa, Randolph, New Jersey
Bette Schuler, Tuscon, AZ

Melissa Lyon, Sherman, NY

Susan Bolding, Hayward, CA

Catherine Chambers, Ísafjörður, Iceland

Jonis Black-Parr, Seattle, WA

Christina Shmigel, Shanghai, China/Bakersville, NC

Nikki Couppee, Oakland, CA

Sara Erkers, Gothenburg, Sweden

Dawn Nakanhishi, Soquel, CA

Kerianne Quick, San Diego, CA

Shane Prada, Baltimore, MD

Mike Holmes, San Francisco, CA

Julia Turner, San Francisco, CA

Tescia Seufferlein, Oakland, CA

Lisa Fidler, Petaluma, CA

Sharon Tavern, Richfield Springs, NY

Elísa Mjöll Guðsteinsdóttir, Los Angeles, CA

Brooke Marks-Swanson, South Bend, IN

Lisa Heller, Philadelphia, PA

Kathleen Browne - Ravenna, OH

Megan McGaffigan, Vancouver, WA

Maya Kini, San Francisco, CA

Maria Porges, Oakland, CA

Chelsea Poe, Oakland, CA

Liz Oppenheim, Oakland, CA

Sara Valente, Herkimer, NY

Helga Ragnhildur Mogensen, Reykjavík, Iceland

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And, as a reminder, I am, indeed, still collecting pearls. Please send yours to me at the following address:

Amy Tavern

2015 Polk St.

San Francisco, CA 94109

Thanks for reading.

P.S. If you are one of my contributors and I have spelled your name incorrectly or gotten the name of your town wrong, please let me know. I have checked and doubled checked, but there is always room for error. Or, if you sent a pearl and do not see your name, please also let me know. Again, I have checked and double checked... and it's possible I have not received it!

Teaching Week, Part 2: ECU Metals Symposium

I will be teaching two back-to-back workshops at the 2012 ECU Metals Symposium Material Topics. This year's symposium, "Merging Methods," begins Friday evening, January 13 at 6pm with an exhibition opening and reception. Then it continues for the next two days with lectures, panel discussions, and workshops by the following artists: 

Renee Zettle-Sterling
Jean Campbell
Angela Bubash
Masako Onodera
David Huang
Marlene True
Andrea Kennington and Les Bryant
Lisa Clague


My workshop takes place on Sunday, January 15 from 10am-12:30pm and then again from 1:30-4pm. Here's the class description:




“Every artist has their own way of generating ideas and making work. In this workshop students will be introduced to a new method of idea generation/making: sketching 3-dimensionally with common materials. Through hands-on exploration students will be able to consider their own individual artistic process as they create a unique piece of jewelry or an object.”

Michael Dale Bernard giving a powder coating demonstration at 

last year's symposium

I went to the symposium last year and was impressed with the quality of the programming. The speakers and workshop presenters were wonderful and there was lots of time to visit with other attendees. I wrote a series of posts then titled, "Now THAT was good!", if you are interested in seeing what happened last year.

For more information:
http://ecusymposium.wordpress.com/

To see the schedule:
http://ecusymposium.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/172/ 

Thanks for reading.

Building Process

Thursday and Friday of last week I taught process workshops at Grand Valley State University. The classes began with a discussion about process as I described my own and how I came to define it. Then I had students do a writing and thinking exercise in which they listed 50 things that inspire them. This assignment, adapted from one by ceramic artist, Ayumi Horie, helps students see where their ideas come from in both a macro and micro view. Next I lead them through an hour-long thinking and making exercise in which they made a piece of jewelry using limited materials and tools. This activity is like sketching with pencil and paper only in 3D with different kinds of materials. It is an individual exercise and I always tell my students to just let go as they work.

After both classes I did back-to-back 30-minute studio visits with jewelry and visual arts students. Critiques like these are always challenging for me because I have to get to know the person and his or her work quickly so I can help. I usually begin by asking the student to describe her work and then try to question and encourage without derision.  Everyone in both my workshops and the individual sessions was open and eager and I had so much fun with them! I also loved being around Beverly Seley and Renee Zettle-Sterling, the metals faculty. They took such good care of me!

In addition, on Thursday night I gave a public lecture and I'm pleased with how it went, despite some technical difficulties. I had a few blank slides appear even though I had done a test run earlier. I kept going, though, channeling performance skills I had learned when I used to sing years ago: I did my thing and everything was fine.

Other highlights of the trip included a visit to ArtPrize where I got to see some incredible works like "Intersections" by Anila Quayyum Agha. Seeing this piece in person felt like a once-in-a-life time kind of moment. I also got to spend a few hours sitting next to Lake Michigan, which reminded me so much of being by the sea in Iceland.

"Intersections" by Anila Quayyum Agha

Thanks for reading. 

Visiting is So Good

I have two back-to-back visiting artist engagements coming up in September. The first one happens at Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI, followed by another at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. At RISD I will be talking with students in a professional practices class lead by Jennaca Davies. I plan to describe the path of my career and the choices I've made and talk about how I combine residencies, teaching and travel with jewelry and art making. The following week I fly to Michigan to teach Renee Zettle-Sterling's students. This two-day workshop will focus on process and I will guide students through a variety of hands-on exercises and discussions about how and why they make their work. I will also give a lecture about my own work. I'm pretty excited about both opportunities because I love being a visiting artist. It's always a great way to get deep with students in a short period of time and I'm always surprised with what I walk away with. It's a also a great time to connect with colleagues who also happen to be friends.

Rhode Island School of Design
Visiting Artist
Thursday, September 18
Providence, RI

Grand Valley State University
Visiting Artist
Thursday, September 25 & 26
Allendale, Michigan

Thanks for reading.