A Box of Limitless Possibilities

by Perri Jackson on 05/15/2013

I recently joined the Jewelry Artist's Network new project 'The Artist's Synchroblog'

 

 

What the heck is a 'synchroblog'? Well,since I can't say it better, let me quote the glorious organizer and artist extraordinaire, Janice Fowler:

"The Artists Synchroblog is a group of bloggers who post every other month on the same topic, sharing our experience or perspective. On alternate months we undertake a Pinterest Project where we each take inspiration from a pinterest picture, create something (art, a meal, a DIY project, etc) and then post about it."

We'll all be sharing our Synchroblog posts on the 15th of every month. There is a list of all the participants at the bottom of this post – I hope you'll come visit and join the conversation!

Our topic for May: WORDS HAVE MEANING “A quote to live by/favorite saying”

I'm going with a favorite quote by creative genius and innovator Orson Welles:

"The enemy of art is the absence of limitations."

Some of the best art has been made by imposing limitations; for instance, Haiku – minimalist poetry with a strict form. Artists in many mediums restrict their color palettes or the shapes they use. They restrict their material choices or even the amount and type of basic tools they use. 

It has been said that we can never truly appreciate the light without first experiencing the dark.

Consider the Yin /Yang symbology. The identical, yet opposite shapes balance each other, they push against each other for stability, they flow around each other, yet share a clear boundary. They contain each other in their centers. They cannot exist without each other.
I believe limitations, boundaries, and art have that same relationship.
 
Dan Cormier, an absolutely phenomenal polymer clay artist whom I admire inspired me on this subject. He says: "I always tried to find a way to make work that adhered precisely to the rules, but that looked like I had broken them. Trying to find this sweet spot, a new way to see the problem, became the thing I liked most, and it usually resulted in unique, original work."
Sounds like a recipe for art to me……
 
This concept of limitation is a guiding principle in my jewelry work, too.
 
I work primarily in wire. I love Baroque and Roccoco ornamentation, which some people see as 'fussy' or over-done. When I work with focal stones, I want the greatest amount of the stone to be visible, and I want the stone to be the 'Star' of the piece, yet held securely.
Sounds impossible to acheive with those parameters (limitations, ) doesn't it….. But I'm a stubborn sort – I gotta try!!!
 
I figure an example is in order:
Here is my latest work, and I think I may have gotten it right – very detailed, a lot of different techniques going on here. But I *did* manage to show nearly ALL of the stone, back and front. The focal Graveyard Point plume agate is definitely worth showcasing!!
 
KGJD_Redux
KGJD_WhiteBack
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Here is a pic of the pendant held to the light before it was patinated.
 
KGJD_Backlit
Notice the light shining through next to the edges of the stone?
 
You can get a clear idea of just how little of the face is covered – yet believe me when I say that stone is 'rock solid' in that setting. Taken individually, I'm not using any 'new' techniques here, but I'm thinking the resultant work is pretty creative, if I do say so myself.  I would never have developed this bezel design if I hadn't imposed limitations. 
 
 
What's the point of this story? The next time somebody tells you to 'Think outside the box" to create, just say, "No, thanks! The 'box' is where I do my best work!!"
 
What  limitations and boundaries do you embrace which let you create better art?
Join the conversation and comment below!
 

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