Lapidary_Journal_Jewelry_Artist_-_November_-_December_2019

Stylized

stylized design, textures, coils, and

the layering of details enhances the

dimensionality and creates the sug-

gestion of movement.

Michael says, “Each piece I create

is meant to inspire a full spectrum of

emotional reactions in both the indi-

vidual wearing the sculpture and the

public viewing it, whether a smile,

frown, joy, anger, or disgust. This

is not to say that I have not made

‘pretty’ things, but I do like poking

the proverbial hornet’s nest from

time to time. My work also has what

I call ‘the giggle factor.’ As I envision

a piece and begin working on it, I

know I’m on the right track when I

start laughing to myself” (Figure F).

While Gordon Uyehara’s piece,

Lamp Vessel, is meant to be a func-

tional art object, his style evolved

from his sketches. “I like nature and

Create a

Stylized Pin

HAWAIIAN LEI, PAGE 72

What’s

the Style?

To get a better feel for what

stylized design is, spend some

time examining these examples

that were created with metal clay.

Try to identify the set of rules that

dominates each artist’s piece, and

ask yourself these questions:

• Do any of the pieces present a
  narrative or seem to dramatize a
  point or meaning?


• How is texture used in these
  stylized designs?


• What metal clay techniques would
  lend themselves well to create a
  stylized effect?


• Which artists whose work you
  know would you say works in a
  stylized technique?

Gordon K. Uyehara Lamp Vessel

Copper and bronze metal clay128 mm x 59 mm x 50 mm

http://www.honudream.com PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

F

G

the science-fi ction art that is infl u-

enced by it. The shapes, balance,

and line fl uidity I use can be found

in the natural world. While much of

it is a conscious eff ort, some of the

design work is just play. To start, it

has fi ns for handles. Lines are used

to outline and defi ne the over-

all object shape. This entails the

aesthetics of the individual parts

as well as their proportions to the

rest of the object. The main form is

circular; the decorative line features

intentionally either radiate from or

toward its center. This includes the

alignment of the legs. Repeated

elements like the bronze bumps, es-

pecially when arranged in a uniform

way, create a pattern,” says Gordon

(Figure G).

HOLLY GAGE artist whose honors include a 2015 Saul Bellow is an award-winning jewelry

Design award. A full-time jewelry artist, she also teaches and is a certifi ed metal clay instructor,

an author and a speaker. You can learn more about her jewelry and other accomplishments at

http://www.HollyGage.com.

Michael J. MarxThe Circle

Fine silver metal clay89 mm x 57 mm x 20.3 mm

http://www.unsaneart.comPHOTO: COURTESY

OF THE ARTIST

70 LAPIDARY JOURNAL JEWELRY ARTIST