Lapidary_Journal_Jewelry_Artist_-_November_-_December_2019

are not stylized but as true to life as
possible.
However, the Hawaiian Lei
brooch (page 72), has its own
set of rules. First, it is completely
made up, though motivated by real
tropical plant parts. My goal was to
demonstrate a stylized approach to
the leaves by simplifying the lines
and overall sharply pleated texture
(Figures A and B).
The fl ower’s center dramatizes
the symmetry, patterns, shadows,
and spaces of a hibiscus fl ower, but
these shapes are much softer in real
life. My rule was to represent all lines
with crisp, clean edges rather than
the ornate edges you’d fi nd on a real

plant. All curves are more uniform

and regular, and the satin fi nish is

devoid of natural texture (Figures C

and D).

Realistic to Abstract

Here are three ways to think about

stylized design:

• Think of a continuum where realis-
  tic art is on one end and abstract
  art is on the other: stylized art
  is somewhere in the middle. The
  closer images are to a photograph
  or mirror likeness, the more real-
  istic we see the interpretation of
  the subject matter. Each step we
  move toward the abstract end of
  the continuum and away from the
  realistic end, the more the stylized

the form becomes (Figure E).

• Stylized forms represent a recog-
  nizable subject. Once the form is
  so far along that continuum that
  the subject is no longer recogniz-
  able, the form is no longer stylized
  but abstract.


• The intention of the artist is also
  very important. An artist may
  intend that the object create a
  narrative, dramatize a feature,
  or draw emphasis to a point of
  reference.
  Look at Michael Marx’s piece,
  The Circle. Here he took the or-
  ganic lines of a fi sh and interpreted
  them into a series of mechanical or
  industrial lines. He took an object
  that constantly moves in its natural
  environment and transformed it
  into something static. Adding his

design

C

D

Interpretative Imagery Continuum

Stylized

Realistic Abstract

Between realistic and abstract imagery is the interpretative design where images are

neither like the original nor unrecognizable

The closer images are to the photograph

or mirror likeness, the more realistic

Each step away from an original or

recognizable image, the more abstract

E

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 69