The Break Through
Photo credit ~ Daniel Krucoff
This piece is the reality come to life from my 4 AM break through moment in the early morning hours of September 29th. This stone was one of those that haunted me, trying to come up with the ‘perfect‘ design. After Lexi and I had our Gelatos and Mountain Sunset evening of artistic soul searching, many things simmered in my subconscious. And I believe they are still simmering and bubble to the surface on a fairly regular basis. This past week Lexi commented that neither of us has seen the full effects on that evening in our lives and our works. I believe she is correct.
I named this piece The Break Through. I didn’t feel there could be any other name for it. It is part of my Soul Searching Series. The image of what I wanted to do literally woke me up at 4 AM that morning. And I wondered if I could hold on to it and bring it to life. After that, 2 other images popped into my mind too. I wanted to go back to sleep. I was exhausted from the energy of the evening before. And I felt I would be able to preserve that image and the others in my sketch book the next morning. I did.
The Sketch
I believe you can tell that I was able to capture it and then ultimately create my vision of this piece. Now, my drawings are not the prettiest ones in the world, but they help me as a pattern and guide me in working with stone and metal to create my art jewelry pieces.
The stone is a White Opal Dendrite that I purchased from The Clamshell while at the Denver Gem and Mineral Show. I have another stone in this family, but it is completely different from this one and even more unusual. I don’t have a design for it yet, but I will.
The setting is sterling silver with various textures that I created with one of my Fretz hammers. I finished this with a variety of patinas to add contrast to the setting.
So, what do you think? I always value the thoughts and opinions each of you take the time to write and share with me here.
Aspiring to be more as an artist and a person.
Filed under: Metalsmithing | Tagged: Daniel Krucoff, Fretz hammers, Kathleen Krucoff, Lexi Erickson, Sterling Silver, The Clamshell, white opal dendrite
There is no better feeling than being on a roll with something you love. Your work – both in glass and jewelry/metalworking – shows the joy and confidence you are enjoying right now with your work.
I did not see any color notes on your sketch. Did you visualize the colors that you would use when you awakened so early in the morning? Or, did the design pop into your head with colors being figured out later? Just curious…
Keep up the great work, Kathleen. Your steady output of such wonderful work is an inspiration. I think I’ll go paint now…
-Don
Thanks so much Don!
No, I generally don’t make any color notes on my sketches….at least right now. I just knew the shape and general texture I wanted to incorporate. I’m still working with patinas and as I apply them they tend to develop the colors quickly…when something appears that I like, I run it under water to stop the process. That’s how I achieved the colors on this piece.
Now I’m anxious to see what you will paint next!
The first thing I thought when I saw this picture was ‘I see a woman with her arms outstreched, filled with joy!’ That’s you alright, filled with inspiration. This is beautiful! Bravo for you, both in your work and your personal breakthrough!
Oh how great Sandy! I love your initial impression of this. I think it is so true as I am embracing all of this creativity that came from that evening of art talk with Lexi. Thanks so much.
This photographed beautifully, but it is even more beautiful in person. Kathleen, you have fabulous designs, so much better than mine were with less than a year’s instructions. You are a natural at this, you design beautifully and your craftsmanship is flawless. It’s very unusual to find both of these qualities in one artist. You have a fabulous future in jewelry and glass. I’m honored to be your teacher.
Oh Lexi! I am honored to be your student. I cannot thank you enough. You pay me such high compliments. Thank you my dear friend, teacher, mentor & sister.
Goodness you are up early today too!
Right now, you’re the only jewelry maker I ‘know”.
So, I can’t tell you how wonderful it is for me to be able to listen to all the internal dialogue that you have in order to bring a piece into existence….there’s a heart and soul to your designs and creations….big time. We, who simply buy or jewelry often don’t even realize how much of the designer we walk around with when we wear a piece.
And, if we all wore pieces like yours, I know our energy, optimism, and delight in living would be amplified.
Hi Holly,
Wow. You could not have paid me a higher compliment than you just did with your insights and comment. I truly am touched. Thank you so much.