Since the beginning of time, artists have been inspired by colors and shapes in the natural world. For me, leaf shapes are extremely alluring. When I take walks near my house (for the exercise, of course!), I'm sometimes so distracted by the leaves on the trees and on the ground, that my walks turn into leaf collecting outings. When I get home, I lay out all the leaves and figure out how I'm going to incorporate them in my jewelry designs.
As with much art that derives from nature, the challenge is to take the sometimes intricate shapes you see and simplify them. Since I do a lot of cutting out of metal by hand, the simplify part is really important as well as the fact that I love minimalist shapes. Here are several variations of leaf shapes that I have created.
A very simple elongated leaf shape in an earring with orange/red enamel on copper.
Another simple leaf shape (however more "leaflike" than the orange/red earrings) in copper, but this time it's folded, hammered and heat treated.
A blue enameled stylized copper leaf pendant placed in an asymmetrical fashion.
My interpretation of a Matisse leaf in earrings enameled in a mottled green.
Hazel Thornton
November 05, 2012
Beautiful, Nina!