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The sources of inspiration for new ideas for my jewelry
are various…but I suppose I would have to credit two,
above all: the forms in nature, and what I would refer
to as “other art.” Now, nature is all around me,
especially where I live in north central Pennsylvania;
and to experience “other art”, I am particularly drawn
to Italy, where I have visited 26 times over the years,
starting in 1965. In that year, my wife and I lived in
Athens where I studied with a Fulbright grant, and we
became very fond of the Mediterranean lifestyle. Later,
we started to travel in Italy, and became repeat
visitors.
 It
has become a habit, you might say, for me and my wife
Anne (who
is a potter, always fascinated by the rich
Italian legacy of pottery) to travel for a couple of
weeks to new and old destinations, and then for me to
stay in a new place for an equal period of time to draw,
make new designs in wax, and to absorb the architectural
and artistic remains of the area.
The residue of Italian cultural artifacts, from the dawn
of history to the present, is a virtually inexhaustible
source
of delight and discovery for me. And of course
the stone masons, iron workers, potters, jewelers and
woodworkers who have created these treasures over the
centuries were themselves inspired by the forms of
nature and previous artists in their own time. I must
admit also that the enjoyments to be found in the
present day culture of Italy
are not insignificant…the
generally congenial attitude of the people, the food,
the wine, and what I would refer to as the “social”
nature of their lifestyle. One cannot take a walk in the
evening during the “passegiata” without feeling the
contrast to our own culture.
 Jewelry
is unique among the arts for two reasons: one, in its
intimate contact with the body, and two, for its use of
precious or “noble” materials. I suppose the body
connection has a special significance for me, in that
the ring, for instance, can provide a haven or refuge
for the wearer, or even a source of vitality and power.
For this reason, I feel an obligation to make my jewelry
pieces comfortable and easy to wear, and evocative of
the positive qualities of order, vitality, symmetry, and
beauty. The use of the noble materials, which do not
rust, corrode, or abrade, is a further assurance for the
wearer in an impermanent and ever-changing world.
In Italy, the wealth of artifacts in so many places,
even in the humblest of towns and cities, is a reminder
of the human drive to express the variety and intricacy
of life itself… and for me, provides an opportunity to
enjoy and receive inspiration from this treasure. |
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