Innovating the Chain, Part 4

I also made a chain during class...I have a hard time making my own work while I'm teaching. My focus is different and I can't seem to motivate myself to think about my own work, only the work of my students. I had a great conversation with fellow instructor, Jane Wells Harrison, during a meal early on in the retreat in which I mentioned this problem. She said she thought it was good to make one's work while teaching because it's good for the students to see their teacher working. This simple comment made a huge impact on me and I committed to making a chain just as I had asked my students to do. Plus, they were all working so hard I felt I should follow suit.

I began with a teardrop link I made during a demonstration where I showed how to create large oval links with two mandrels and a vice. Instead of using the same size mandrel to create equal curves on either end of the oval, I used two different sized mandrels quite different in diameter. I was thrilled to create a new teardrop element! I made lots of these in different sizes, scoring and folding each for added dimension. Then I linked them together, but felt the chain needed something more. Since the chain was all about line, I decided to add a solid teardrop, also scored and folded.

Finally, when I was preparing the piece for patination in a liver of sulfur bath, I wondered what would happen if I left the copper plating that builds up during soldering intact instead of sanding it away. I honestly don't have much experience using brass so I didn't know. I was hoping to get a stained affect and happily that is exactly what happened. There was lots of variation in color all over the chain and great detail in the scratches I created with my wax file.

Thanks to Jane AND my students for inspiring me!

And since I writing about being inspired I thought I would share some pictures of things I like that I took during my stay.

fishing bobbers at the hardware store

 the ceiling of the hardware store

 the floor of the hardware store

a hush of graffiti

 drywall paper on the floor of Pocosin Arts

my room 

(I inadvertently took this picture as I put my camera away one night before going to sleep. I love it.)

More on Flickr.

Thanks for reading.

Innovating the Chain, Part 3

during our final critique

I was going to post pictures of my students' work yesterday, but I couldn't get the images off my camera...the battery is dead and I have no idea where the charger is! I know it's off somewhere with my second battery, too. So frustrating! I was able to find a alternative method today thanks to the new Mac in the metals studio at school. (What will I do when I leave this place?!) Anyway, my students made wonderful chains, each personal to the maker and each innovative in its own way. I'm really proud of them. They worked so hard and I love their chains!

JoAnne Lang

Hilary Anderson

Ron Vick

Tara Locklear

Maura Cartwright

Maia Leppo

Gail Cervarich

More images on Flickr, of course!

Thanks for reading.

Innovating the Chain, Part 2

I just got back late last night from Columbia, NC where I taught the class "Innovating the Chain" at Pocosin Arts Cabin Fever Reliever. I had seven wonderful, hard-working students and we had one excellent time together. I started the class with introductions in which everyone talked about there metalsmithing experience. Next I gave a PowerPoint presentation on chains. It included many examples of thoughtfully designed and often unexpected contemporary chains. As we progressed through the images I talked about the elements and techniques that set these pieces apart from more standard versions--alternative connections, layering, mixed materials, unusual shaped links, and so on. Then I demonstrated how to make jump rings, to construct and fabricate a basic chain, and to twist wire. I asked the class to make some samples and start making a 16" chain incorporating at least three different kind of links while thinking about the points I made during my lecture.

During our introductions nearly every student mentioned a desire to discover their own unique style or voice. This gave me pause and I decided to add a few impromptu process exercises to my syllabus. So on Day 2 I asked my students to write down 50 things that inspire them in 30 minutes or less. Once they had 50 things I told them they could break the list down into basic categories of like things. This list can show one exactly where his or her interests lie and can be used as a tool for idea generation and new work. Later in the day I asked them to take some time to look through the books I brought, find a chain they like, and then make a list of reasons why they like it and to also explain the why behind these reasons. Demonstrations for the day included scoring and folding sheet metal and wire, wire and sheet manipulations, and riveting and other alternative connections. I assigned a final project to make an innovative chain incorporating line quality, visual weight, and variety in sheet metal and/or wire links. I encouraged using different kinds of metal, textures, and details to make a chain that is unique and personal to each person.

More tomorrow...

Lots of pictures on Flickr. 

Thanks for reading.

Innovating the Chain, Part 1

my work

I begin teaching a chain making class today called "Innovating the Chain" as part of the Pocosin Arts annual Cabin Fever Reliever. There are six classes happening simultaneously including basketry, figurative ceramics, hand-built vessels, encaustic painting, and mixed-media brooches. I arrived here yesterday afternoon and set up my classroom with my assistant, Tara Locklear. We have seven students in the class and all seem rather skilled after my initial email asking about their experience with metalsmithing.

I will begin the class with a short PowerPoint presentation on chains as I always like to start my classes with an illustrated talk about the subject at hand. The pictures I have posted today are all a part of the presentation and among my favorite contemporary chains. After that I will demonstrate how to make jump rings and discuss basic chain design and fabrication. Over the next few days I will also cover wire manipulation, making links out of sheet metal, alternative connections, and scoring and folding. In addition to demonstrations and sample making, I will challenge my students to design and fabricate an unusual chain or "innovative" chain.

 

Seth Papac

 

Allyson Bone

Maria Solorzano

Thanks for reading.

Teaching Week Part 3: Pocosin Arts Cabin Fever Reliever

 In February I will teach a chain making class called "Innovating the Chain" at Pocosin Arts Cabin Fever Reliever, a four day, three night creative arts retreat.

"In this class students will be challenged to think beyond the traditional chain while learning chain making techniques and design using both wire and sheet metal. Students will examine and manipulate line, shape, repetition, pattern, and negative space to innovate and personalize their chains. Daily demonstrations and discussions will be complemented with projects and lots of one-on-one time."

I've been wanting to teach a chain making class so I am excited for this opportunity. I will be joined by Tara Locklear, a BFA metals student at East Carolina University, as my assistant. 

Other instructors include:

Mary Hettsmansperger - baskets
Kranitzky and Overstreet - mixed-media
Akira Satake - handbuilt vessels
Jane Wells Harrison - painting
Kirsten Stingle - figurative ceramics

CFR takes place February 16-19, 2012 in Bulls Bay, NC.

Thanks for reading.