Sunday, May 30, 2010

Weekly challenge: Week 1 relic



cat whisker

Weekly challenge


I have decided that I need a creative jump start of sorts. I really need to get back into my studio for some serious work. You can read some background here. I've been kicking this idea around for a while now but just needed a kick in the butt to just dive in and start. I was inspired by my friend Noah and his Skull-a-Day project.

Memorial Day seemed like an appropriate time to start as we remember the lives and sacrifices of our fallen soldiers.

Here's my challenge:
I will be making one reliquary per week for a year. I will post a photo of the relic on Sunday and then will post the finished reliquary by Saturday.

What is a relic?
It's something saved from the past; something kept in remembrance; souvenir; memento;
the remains of a deceased person; remaining parts or fragments; a surviving trace of something.
(memento, keepsake, souvenir, token, remnant, fragment, antique, reminder, memorial, trophy, remembrance, ruins)
I will be using everything from cremated remains (of my beloved pets) to found objects, and everything in between.

What is a reliquary?
It's a repository or receptacle for relics; a container for relics
(shrine, niche, sanctuary, altar, grave, container, vessel, box, case)
I will not be limiting myself to only making jewelry. Some may become jewelry objects, some may not.

Why make reliquaries?
It may seem morbid to some but I am a sucker for sentimental/mourning jewelry and art. Victorian mourning jewelry and art, the Mexican culture surrounding Dia de los Muertos and ancient Egyptian culture are huge influences in my personal life and art. One foot in life, one foot in death. Memento mori reminds us, not so subtly, that we are mere mortals and will all die someday. Remembering deceased loved ones keeps them alive in our hearts. I wear one everyday. It's a necklace I made with my mother's ashes in it. I am wearing it in the photo above, taken by my sister Carla.
Don't worry though, I won't be all gloomy. Promise!

Okay then, here I go!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Some inspiration: Al Farrow





Oh my goodness y'all! I recently discovered these AMAZING reliquary sculptures by artist Al Farrow and needed to share. As you may know, I will be taking on a self-imposed challenge of making a reliquary a week for the next year. I will begin this challenge on Sunday (Memorial Day seems appropriate) and will post all the info this weekend.
Until then, please check out the rest of Al Farrow's series. They are intense.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Changes on the way



I've been doing a lot of thinking about my jewelry business and have decided that I need a creative jump start. The first year following my mom's death I was all go, go, go and then a sort of grey cloud emerged and took over. All my adrenaline was used up. I was suffering a deep depression. I've been struggling with getting my mojo back ever since. Granted, I've had bursts of creativity throughout the past years but it just hasn't been the same. I've always been melancholy and that's okay with me. I can work with that. In fact, it kind of fits in with my focus on funerary jewelry. I just need to get my creative juices really flowing again. Exercise has done wonders for my mood. Great friends and family (and my many cats) who support me are also wonderful. But I ain't getting any younger! It's GO time again.
So, I've decided that I need to give myself some projects/ goals. One thing I would like to start doing here on this blog is a weekly art/jewelry project. I'm about 90% sure of the parameters so far. I'm thinking of some sort of weekly reliquary project; maybe post the raw materials on Sunday and then the finished piece by Saturday.
What do you think? Have any suggestions on getting back one's creative mojo?