Returning to a favorite form — the box — I decided to answer fewer questions than I had in previous works in the READING THE KEY series. It was time to tell the viewer less with this sculptural piece. This represents a departure from the...
Eliza Cook was a 19th-century English poet and writer, from whose words the title of this painting is taken. She wrote that it would be better to “build schoolrooms for the boy, than cells and gibbets for the man.” This is a compelling statement, ringing with...
The People Learn to Read [caption id="attachment_267" align="alignright" width="150" caption="THE PEOPLE LEARN TO READ (24 x 48 mixed media on canvas)"][/caption] There are several paintings so far in the Reading the Key series. The first one I completed is "The People Learn to Read." With it's...
This is a story of exploration, discovery and actualization. Read on. The READING THE KEY series began with an erratic decision on my part. More than a year ago, I was in metal-etching mode. I did lots of etching into sheet metal that I had not...
Consider the key. A simple metal form, it is common, yet valuable. Without a needed key, access is denied. But key in hand, one may enter, embark, or open, and continue. It is part of a system: alone it is merely an object, but paired...
During the drive to Quirk Gallery in Richmond, Va., last week, fellow metalsmith Tara F. and I talked about the nuances of the creative life, or, the duties of having been created creative. Quirk Gallery is a fine contemporary craft gallery presenting wonderful work in a...
On my blog and website, you will see a badge that says, "I TOOK THE HANDMADE PLEDGE/BUYHANDMADE.ORG" I first discovered the Pledge on the website of another metalsmith, checked it out, and signed myself up. So, what is it? Buy Handmade is a consortium of nine...
I am blessed. I know why I do what I do. Jewelry is an art form. It's characteristics include line, form, light, movement, and my personal favorite: interaction with the body. Because we wear it on our bodies, I would argue this makes jewelry the most...