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Artist Statement:
Everyone can appreciate and
even admire the flora and fauna that surrounds us in our
daily lives. However, I think that my upbringing in Vermont
has inspired me a bit more than the average person.
Although the influences on
my work have always been varied, from Art Deco to African
Tribal jewelry, my work right now attempts to take a snap
shot of the flowers and leaves outside my door. I try to
replicate the strong yet ethereal nature of the flowers and
trees growing in my yard. It is nature’s perfection found
in its imperfection that I strive to achieve.
My pieces start out as sheet
metal, wire, and tubing. I transform the materials using
processes such as chasing, repousse, texturing, piercing,
and hand-forming depending on the look that I am attempting
to achieve. For me, there is a necessity to feel an
immediate connection with the materials with which I work.
Therefore, processes such as casting have never been as
appealing as the gratification I get from starting out with
simple metal and transforming it into a piece of jewelry.
Clean lines, negative space,
and the use of textures with accents of color are the
fundamental aesthetic principles at the root of all of my
jewelry designs.
Whether it is a relatively
simple cuff or a cacophony of flowers at the neck, it is
very important that the jewelry become an extension of the
wearer rather than an accessory that looks out of place. I
try to complement rather than overwhelm the wearer.
Ultimately, I strive to
craft striking jewelry that is a pleasure to have on and
that makes the person wearing it feel great about themselves. |
