Emergence
Soul Searching Series
Photograph Credit ~ Daniel Krucoff
Another piece from my Soul Searching Series, I call this one Emergence. The stone is an Amethyst Sage with Dendrites that I purchased from The Clam Shell, while attending the Denver Gem and Mineral Show in September. I think this is my favorite piece to date. It evolved as my work tends to do. I find the stone captivating.
The reason I called this one Emergence is because I see a beautiful white cloud emerging from the stormy surface of a planet….as if a creative spirit has been freed from its bindings and released from the surface that has deep purple and rich rusts that comprise its surface. It was a very freeing experience for me as I worked on this piece. Why? Well, it became more than the original design as I show in this next photo.
Working with metal has opened so many doors for me. I really do work on my designs for the stones and I don’t just start something without a plan anymore. I tended to not have specific designs in mind with the wire wrapped glass pieces I made. Those wire wrapped pieces did turn out rather free form, which worked. But now that I work with metal and stone, I can’t take that kind of cavalier approach anymore.
As you may have noticed, there are three textured sections in the final piece, not just two. When the metal was ready for soldering, I looked at it with the stone and realized it wasn’t balanced. The famous/infamous threes in art! Keep the balance. This was part of the fun for me in this piece. I drew what I felt was the appropriate accent on the right side of the piece to draw attention to the shape of the stone and balance this pendant. I found it worked. And it made me very happy to realize that I could still capture some of that free ‘spirit-ness’ that made my wire wrap so unique. I like carrying that into my metal work too!
I used Sterling Silver for the setting and applied liver of sulfur gel, with a hint of ammonia, to create the rainbow of colors that you see on the metal. A couple of the textured components were overlaid to create the depth. And I really like adding the diamond shaped pieces of silver at the bottom. I love the way this one moves too.
This piece truly symbolizes how I feel about my artistic spirit emerging as I grow with metal. It wouldn’t be complete without me mentioning Lexi Erickson, my teacher/friend/mentor/sister. She nurtures and nourishes me as a metalsmith, a person, an artist, and a friend. Thank you Lexi!
I have been absent over the Thanksgiving holiday, but rest assured that I have more pieces in the works. I look forward to sharing them with you soon.
Until the next time, aspire to be more as an artist and a person!
10 comments
November 30, 2009 at 3:33 am
TJDC
Beautiful post, Kathleen–and beautiful piece!
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November 30, 2009 at 4:02 am
Kathleen Krucoff
Thanks so much Tamra! That means a lot coming from someone with your talent.
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November 30, 2009 at 4:27 pm
lexierickson
Good Morning Dear Kathleen–another thoughtful and elegant post. I have seen the piece in person, and it is lovely. You are on the right track. You research, read, experiment, and play. That’s the best way to learn. I’m honored to have a student of your calibre. You have the makings, meaning the design ability, color sense, passion and integrity to be a fabulous well known jeweler, and I believe that 2010 will be a year the world will recognize your talent. Good job,
Love, Lexi
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November 30, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Kathleen Krucoff
Thank you so much Lexi. I am honored by your comments and will do my best to live up to your expectations….and mine. 🙂
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December 1, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Holly
When the page opened, out of my mouth flew out-loud, “Oh! That’s lovely!”
When something captures you that fast and causes that response? You have a winner there, My Dear!
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December 1, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Kathleen Krucoff
Hi Holly!
I know you have a very honest reaction to things in life. I love your reaction to this piece. Thanks so much.
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December 3, 2009 at 2:11 am
Lynda Dunham-Watkins
May be my favorite! Just beautiful and so moving.
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December 3, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Kathleen Krucoff
Thanks so much Lynda!
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December 3, 2009 at 8:30 am
Don
I, like Holly, reacted instantly to this wonderful piece of art. My reaction was a little less refined in that I had just taken a swallow of ice water and I ended up choking on it…and I blame you! But, back to this piece that, like Lynda, I’d have to say is my favorite.
Your choices were spot on. I’ve always felt that no matter how well we plan out a work we have to know that the piece will cause us to modify it as we go along. It takes on a life of its own as we create and it will let us know what else it needs as long as we’re open to it. I’m glad you “listened” to your work. It took it from being a fine piece to a fabulous one.
-Don
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December 3, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Kathleen Krucoff
Wow Don, that’s quite a reaction….sorry about the ice water, but you did make me laugh a bit.
I really like your thoughts on the need to be open to what our work tells us. If I can’t move forward on something, I do have to wait and see what the piece ‘tells’ me. I know you do this so well in your work too.
Thanks again for the great feedback!
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