• 610 789 6577 • kevinrmyers@comcast.net • flyingblindpuppy.com
art direction
My approach in presenting jewelry has been a continuing challenge based on how the model can participate in showing this art form worn, but not in a way that dominates the stones. In most instances extreme crops were used to push the model back and the jewelry forward.
Jewelry’s highly reflective metallic and faceted surfaces are difficult capture— even more so when shown functioning on the human form.
Want to learn to make your own wire jewelry? Check out “Bead on a Wire,” page 40, and “All Wrapped Up,” page 46, in T by T P P
Se Se
Barbara SilverStein wrangles stainless steel braiding into comfortable, wearable art. Photo: Todd Murray. Opposite page: At top is SilverStein’s signature collar, in a gold finish. Photo: Todd Murray. Below is her 2" Angle Cuff.
style
Is Leigh Ramsay a sculptor who creates jewelry
or a jeweler who creates sculpture?
Ask the artist himself, and he’s prepared with the perfect answer: “Jewelry is sculpture that you accept and invite into your personal space.” However you see Ramsay’s one-of-a-kind jewelry, there’s no argument that it’s art. Becoming an artist was his plan from the beginning, even if he took some interesting turns along the way. Ramsay had planned to become an illustrator when he enrolled at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, a school noted for celebrating innovation.
2 November/December 2005 COLORED STONE
3
re-design
The re-designed Colored Stone integrated the existing gemstone news format to include a high fashion look.
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direct mail
e-media In today’s market, magazines are the footprint to the numerous related products now made available online.
Reprocessed content as in the Jewelry Artist project series is some of the highly successful online e-book products produced for the jewelry artisan.
Jewelry Artist Flashcard was designed as a monthly e-newsletter that continues to grow it’s subscriber base.
branding The Tucson Show Guide is the ultimate guide for the world’s largest gem show. Cover and conceptual designs have remained the strongest brand in the gem division of several corporate owners for over two decades.
JewelryShowGuide.com is an online brand of the Tucson Show Guide. The 450-page directory is now offered for mobile devices with complete listings.
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Breaking In On That First Show - The “Wow!” Factor Let’s face it, the competition will be heavy, and since you won’t be there to sell yourself, your presentation must speak for you to “Wow!” a panel of judges. There might be hundreds entries so you will need to pay attention to the presentation basics. Ignoring any of these essentials could provide serious harm to your entry and what I call the “Wow!” factor. Don’t let the packaging get in the way of your serious talent. Start With a Consistent - Wow! Think of your submission package as your mini portfolio of a single subject or idea. The works submitted should have strong visual relationships to one another. This can be done with similar color, style or subject matter. Does your art have any of these links or is there one submission that might lookbetter on your grandmother’s mantelpiece rather than in this elite group?
FirstArtShow.com is designed for the artist starting out in the gallery circuit. The site offers exclusive information on entering competitions and exhibitions.
If you are a painter, think of Cezanne’s distinctive style of thick outlines and sharp juxtapositions of color. It’s hard to mistake a Cezanne and his bold signature elements that link all of his paintings into one highly influential body of work. What’s you signature? Make it clear, bold and above all, consistent. The Juror’s Point of View As an art director of craft media, my experience on the jury side of competitions has been (like it or not) over 20 years. From the juror’s point of view, here’s what is an absolute must for entry into the juried show: 1 Get Your Work Shot by a Professional Photographer Don’t make the jurors work to see your creative genius. Presentation is everything! Unless the photographic representation of your work is perfect, do not submit! If you are a jewelry artisan, your art is one of the toughest to photograph. You will need a special type of photographer that understands capturing highly reflective subjects. Thrifty Tips - Here’s an insider secret - artists love to barter among themselves.
In South Dakota I acquired a puppy that was blinded in one eye when he ran into a tree. As difficult as that injury might have been, the dog grew up to be extremely tenacious —not at all afraid of jumping out of my car to chase after cattle. I nicknamed him the “flying blind puppy” and never forgot his bravado.
Can we work some of that same tenacity for you at Flying Blind Puppy?
610 789 6577 • kevinrmyers@comcast.net