A Steampunk Show? Why Not!

Well, I don’t know if you can see my name in the fine print here, but I’ve happily taken part in the Steampunk Providence show.  It’s been awhile since I’ve made anything in this genre, of which I’m a big fan, so I jumped at the chance.  Two of these pieces have been extracted from my archives so you may remember them, and the other two were made just for this show.

The show runs through the end of October 2016, so if you’re interested in purchasing any of them I’ll be posting them in my etsy shop.

A change of venue

I’ve been asked to participate in a group gallery show, and since I’ve grown a bit tired of making production jewelry, this seems to be the perfect opportunity to let loose and create some more sculptural pieces.  So, here we go.

The first is a concept piece I call “Husbandry”

I have two thoughts going on with this piece.  

One is in how I find the idea of bodily adornment in relation to self-image, and as a mark of intent, goal, or achievement to be so curious.  Whether it be to enhance one’s beauty, self-confidence, or status, the pursuit of wearable objects to achieve these goals are how the title of this piece came about.

The other is the symbolism involved with the romanticized heart representing love and all that it encompasses verses the literal heart as a body organ.  The romantic heart associated with living happily ever after, and the anatomical heart associated with just living.

As with many of my pieces there is some wordplay and visual puns going on here.  I invite the viewer to ponder the idea of a crystal heart-shaped cage, containing an anatomical representation of a heart, flanked by sprays of jeweled flowers, and the significance of its wearability.  

 

 

The first time my work was shown in an art gallery, it was in a Venetian carnival mask show at the Museum Of Fine Arts Boston, in which I took first place.  This is that mask…

So, out of nostalgia, and as an expression of my creative journey, I thought it fitting to do another mask and see how far I have come as a designer and fabricator.

I call this piece Camouflage,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have an ongoing fascination with the imitation of nature by the use of man-made materials, and the idea of improving on nature by the same means.

In this piece I’ve used the format of a mask, something typically used to hide or disguise one’s identity.   In creating an elaborate network of representations from nature, I then gilded and bejeweled it so as to create a conspicuous object of opulence.  Much of my work involves puns and wordplay which is how the title of this piece came about.  

And finally, if anyone reading this is going to be in the Providence area within the next month, well, here’s your invitation…

The “Enchantress” Mask

In Providence Rhode Island, the city where I live, there’s a wonderful monthly event called Gallery Night Providence.  Once a month about 30 of the city’s major art and craft galleries are open late and there are free guided bus tours throughout the city.

This month Gallery Night Providence had a fund-raiser, part of which was an auction of Halloween masks created and donated by local artists.  Well, being a great fan of Halloween, Gallery Night Providence, and mask making, how could I not participate.  So now, here are some pictures of my entry…

I’ve titled this piece “Enchantress”!  Here’s some detailed pictures,

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So?  I’m eager to know what you think, please comment.  Also, as always, be sure to check out my etsy shop and I’d love it if you were to “Like” my Facebook page too!