My house is full of all sorts of things that most people would consider to be dark or gruesome - taxidermy and animal parts, human bones, and medical antiques. I’ve noticed that, in general, I enjoy making unusual pieces such as cast mummified animal heads as pendants and rat vertebra rings, or using realistic taxidermy eyes rather than cabochon stones in some pieces. I often go for the shock value, without even realizing it.
Lately, I’ve been working in enamel on copper. Initially what I wanted was work that evoked a strong emotion, so I decided to do the ten plagues of Egypt. I portrayed the plagues with a graphic quality, which allowed the enamels to bring forth the emotion rather than the design. One of the things I love about working with enamel is the colors; virtually any color can be created to define the work. For instance, the vivid colors of the enamel bring forth emotion, contrasted against the patina of the metal that implies darkness.
Working on the plague of flies was almost traumatic for me. I have a morbid fear of all insects, so, I depicted the flies swarming across the surface of the piece wings fluttering ready to burst forth to into the air. My favorite piece from this series is the plague of boils. The enameled boils look pustulant and disgusting. The flesh looks diseased and traced with varicose veins. The boils look ready to burst with the slightest touch to weep rotting fluid down the chest. They make people cringe. I think they are beautiful in their shades of peach, yellow, red, and opalescent glass.
Lately, I’ve been working in enamel on copper. Initially what I wanted was work that evoked a strong emotion, so I decided to do the ten plagues of Egypt. I portrayed the plagues with a graphic quality, which allowed the enamels to bring forth the emotion rather than the design. One of the things I love about working with enamel is the colors; virtually any color can be created to define the work. For instance, the vivid colors of the enamel bring forth emotion, contrasted against the patina of the metal that implies darkness.
Working on the plague of flies was almost traumatic for me. I have a morbid fear of all insects, so, I depicted the flies swarming across the surface of the piece wings fluttering ready to burst forth to into the air. My favorite piece from this series is the plague of boils. The enameled boils look pustulant and disgusting. The flesh looks diseased and traced with varicose veins. The boils look ready to burst with the slightest touch to weep rotting fluid down the chest. They make people cringe. I think they are beautiful in their shades of peach, yellow, red, and opalescent glass.