Taking pictures of work is my favorite thing to do. I’m kidding. I hate it, I absolutely hate it- from setting up, to squatting under hot lights, to photoshopping, to realizing that a piece was out of focus so then you have to start the process all over again! However, it sure beats paying a professional $100 a picture! That being said, I am not a professional, and don’t always take perfect pictures.
People have been asking me lately how I set up my photo-shoots, so here is a pic of my set-up. It took Ashley Vick and I many long, frustrating nights to create this set-up, but now that we have it figured out, I’m more than happy to share it!
From bottom to top: black acrylic sheet, a spacer (I used glass candle holders), a piece of glass (dust and streak free!!!!), my piece, a sheet of vellum or mylar, photoflood lights (these are blue lightbulbs). It helps to have the mylar or vellum stretched across a large frame of some sort, instead of taping it to tables and chairs. That way, the mylar won’t have any waves or wrinkles, because it will reflect on the glass. Also, have some dust-off and windex handy.
The finished picture!
Taking Pictures
Alternative Material Jewelry Intensive at SMFA
Once again, I’ll be teaching the Alternative Material Jewelry summer intensive at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Monday–Friday 9 am–6 pm June 25–June 29. Spread the word! We had a lot of fun last year, and it’s pretty awesome to get 2 credits in 5 days (you don’t need to take it for credit either).
Here’s the description:
Contemporary art jewelry need not be constructed from metal to be considered precious or wearable. Found objects and alternative materials may be employed to create meaning that could not otherwise be conveyed. This course is an in-depth exploration of alternative materials, such as plastics, resins, fabric, wood, rubber and found objects. Classes will include technical demonstrations, discussions, field trips, slide shows and material studies, with an emphasis on experimentation and problem solving. Students will be encouraged to try new techniques and to experiment with interesting materials to create new methods and develop their own style and aesthetic. Technical demonstrations will cover cold connections, stone setting, acrylics, resins, stone cutting, moldmaking and carving. Upon completing of the course, students will have a greater understanding of alternative materials, along with technical samples and finished pieces of jewelry.
For more information, visit:
http://smfa.edu/ce-summer
To register online:
http://smfa.edu/register
Unofficial Handbag Project
For a fundraising event, we were given designer handbags to re-purpose. I chose a Louis Vuitton sea foam green patent leather bag. I don’t have any pics of the finished pieces I donated, however, here’s an off-shoot piece I made for a friend.
The bag before….
New Work
Here is some more work from the “Home Improvement” Series
Workshops at Art League Houston
I will be teaching a couple of workshops at the Art League Houston this Spring! “Plastic Casting for Jewelers” will be a three day workshop April 7, 14, and 28. “Riveting Rivets and Cold Connections” will be May 12 and 19. For the class descriptions, visit their website and scroll down.