Why
are you an artist and what drew you to clay?
I'm an artist because I
have to be - I guess it's something so embedded in my being that I really have
no choice! I have to create and always have done. I only discovered
metal clay a couple of years ago and I felt like I'd just won the jackpot in
terms of creativity. Up until then I had just taught myself basic beading
really, using sterling silver along with gemstones. Discovering metal
clay opened up massive new opportunities and I am discovering and learning more
about it all the time. As I am largely self-taught in jewellery making,
it's a huge learning curve as I have had very little input from others on techniques,
products or tools etc. It's a fun journey and one that will go on and on.
I think I have been an
artist my whole life but started taking it seriously at school at the age of
15. Infact, I was so driven to create something really special during my
GCSE 3D Art Class (Exams taken at 16 in UK) that I actually had to
officially 'leave' school just so I could return in my now 'free time' to
spend all the hours I could creating my work back in the art rooms! I then
went onto to study graphics, design and photography and then onto a degree in
Photographic Art.
Andy Goldsworthy really
struck a chord with me when I came across him during those early school
years. You can really see this in some of my seaside pieces which use
tiny pebble stacks. Andy Goldsworthy's work was created in nature,
photographed and then left to go back to nature. It's a really beautiful
concept.
Fastfire Bronzclay is my
favourite - it's easy to use, fires quickly and because it's a non-precious
metal, I can play and carve and not feel the pressure I do when I am using
silver due to the cost. It takes patinas well so you can really mix it up
and create new vibes with it.
I love to use items you
would find beach-combing such as seaglass and driftwood which work so well with
the pebbles. I love the earthy, natural feel. I want my work to
feel honest.
I do use bought components
as well as making my own so there's a real mixture going on. I would
love to make all my silver components from scratch but it's just not
financially practical to do so and as a business owner, this needs to be
considered!
I am currently working on
about 20 different things and my studio is chaos! It's the run up to 'The
Silly Season' so I am on full steam at the moment with numerous big markets on
the horizon starting this weekend. I am just finishing up some gorgeous
silver starfish studs (see pic) and also I am trying out the Aura 22k which I
have accented some other seaside studs so I'm really excited about firing those
and seeing the end result.
What
inspires your work?
I love to seek
out new and exciting ideas in relation to my passions in life - nature and
the beach. This is something I have explored artistically in various
mediums since I was a child – it always comes back to me.
When we go out for a
walk, my family are taking in the view and I am foraging in
the undergrowth looking for new seeds, leaves and nuts to mould and make pretty
things from - I can’t switch off. Beach combing is one of my
absolute favourite things in the world and I could do it all day,
everyday. I feel alive there.
Is
there a purpose to your artwork?
My pieces are jewellery
based so my intent is make the wearer feel special and create a connection
with the world around them. I have just started an 'art collection'
range which is more conceptual.... pieces like 'Protection' (see photo) which
took over 3 months to make.
'Sanctuary' (see photo) is
a handcarved a tactile hollow in bronze.... this is rather cocoon like
with a small opening where you can close your eyes and send your mind to run and
hide in times of need - it's tranquil green/truquoise inside and there's a
little sterling bell which tinkles a soothing tune. I
love this piece because it's so intruiging, curious and tactile. It's a
very beautiful piece that needs to be held and studied.
Just jump in and create -
let yourself go and see what happens. I think people are so scared of trying
and failing but like anything, art is a learning curve and something to be
explored to see where it takes you. Some ideas work, others don't but
have fun experimenting. I'm lucky in that I was in a position to
self-fund my business (i.e earn a little, invest it back in and so on rather
than getting a loan or anything) and at the beginning I worked full time and
gradually got Eden Dreams up and running and then gradually cut back on my 'day
job'.
I only run a workshop
every couple of months but I do love it because my ladies leave on such a
high and are so proud of what they have acheived in so little
time. They usually leave wearing their creations with a massive smile on
their faces! The concept of my class is to create a finished piece of
jewellery in one day so not only do they make the metal clay part, but design
and contruct the complete piece.
www.madeit.com.au/EdenDreams
(shows some behind the
scenes stuff and updates on markets and workshops etc)
