After the Broken Heart #2

It took me long enough, but here is the image of the second heart in the series I am calling "After the Broken Heart." Like the other two in the series, this one is constructed of sterling, anodized aluminum and 24K gold. It is constructed with spacer rivets of black anodized aluminum.
I said I would talk a little about the conception of this series, which began with a comment by my husband that he particularly liked a piece of similar construction that I had done on commission for someone. He thought a series of jewelry based on that piece would be a good idea.
As I began to work, virtually everything I had originally thought for the series changed. Only the fact that they would be hearts and that there would be three remained.
I did the last of the 3 first. I didn't know when I started that it would be the last, I knew when I saw it. The lotus is the sign of rebirth, and it seemed to me that was a pretty happy, healed heart. The first heart in the series is black and blue and the top of the heart is fractured, but the lotus is there, suggesting itself and its meaning, but in blue. The second heart is still black and blue, but the lotus is gold and both layers of the heart are complete, although it is closed. I think it is possible for our broken hearts to heal and to grow from the experience. So, the third heart is a bit larger, and the lotus is gold in both layers. I love the botanical piercing, suggesting the beauty and serenity of flowers and the amazing ability of plants to regenerate after a disaster. This is also the only one in the series without heavily textured surfaces, with a smooth, mirror finish.
This is perhaps not the most eloquent explanation of some of the thought process that went with making this series, but I hope it gives an idea of how artwork can change and morph as it progresses.
I have high hopes for the series, and will be submitting it for consideration for an exhibition at Munson-Williams-Proctor called "Made in Central New York." If any or all of the pieces are accepted, they will be in the exhibition next year, from April to July. If they are not accepted, they will go up for sale, probably around Christmas of this year.

Declare Your Independence

Must be the 4th of July spirit, but I have suddenly been inspired to post this entry declaring Summer 2007 to be the summer I strive to persuade you all to free yourselves of commercial jewelry. Fitting that I should begin my campaign today.

Summer is the time of festivals, notably arts and crafts festivals. Visit a few and discover the joys of handmade objects and the rare opportunity to get to meet and possibly to know, the person whose hands made your purchase. I'm not even talking about just jewelry, you can buy the greatest handmade things at summer festivals; and maybe you will then be inspired to hunt out the small stores and galleries, like Evergreen Gallery, right here in Hamilton, that carry merchandise which is handmade by local artisans.

So, standup everybody and let's pledge: I will no longer spend my hard-earned dollars on unimaginatively designed, cheaply made jewelry from a giant, faceless corporation that somehow feels the need to tell me how to spell a four letter word!

Declare your independence -- tell them to _iss off!

Me on Mohawk Valley Living