Opening Reception: Friday April 21, 2023
5:30-8:30pm
Linda Lurcott, Jewelry Maker, and Painter
Gilded Journeys-Paintings and Jewelry
I am a maker. And I respect the creative process. I have been a maker as far back as I can remember, delighting in the many creative forms offered during childhood, such as drawing, painting and crafts. I became a metal smith, over twenty years ago. And shortly afterward, I was delighted to discover my great-grandparents owned and operated a jewelry store in New York City. These same loved ones also painted. Several beautiful works of art were painted by both my great-grandfather and his daughter, my grandmother. I loved realizing how much I had in common with my ancestors. I am sure I received my love for creating art from them, both painting and jewelry making. I even found and use a few of their tools. Since this family trait discovery in adulthood, I enthusiastically returned to creativity in several forms.
Beginning with jewelry making, I learned a variety of techniques from several workshops. Then spent hours on practicing techniques with many acquired tools. I soon realized that I loved the malleability found in metals and how personally meaningful it is to create jewelry. I still love how metal can flow and bend to craft form. Additionally, I love vibrant color, which can be applied to my craft in a variety of ways.
Stone setting is one way to add color to jewelry. Setting a gemstone found within the earth is a common technique in jewelry design. While gemstones can provide vibrant color and beautiful shape, I found that there are other colorful objects worthy of being set in precious metal. My current favorite is a cut piece of Satsuma dinnerware. These exquisite Satsuma plates are from China with rich color and detailed cultural design. Recently, these lovely plate designs have given me additional inspiration toward painting, where I include similar background imagery with enhanced details.
While setting stones or Satsuma and painting, I enjoy including themes inspired by personal preference. Visually drawn to the spiral, a shape frequently noticed in the natural world that I design into many of my pieces. Jewelry can be shaped into a spiral or included as an element. A set stone or fossil can contain a naturally formed spiral inclusion. And I begin many of my paintings with a spiral or two in vibrant colors, then enhance with metallic gold paint. The choice to apply a spiral theme led to self-discoveries on my creative journey.
I remain a maker and am delighted to share the creations I discovered along my current artistic path, which revealed Gilded Journeys.
~Linda Lurcott