end of a dry spell

     Photo: Kathleen Faulkner     

I usually create art from my mind, sometimes photos.

While walking on the beach,

I came upon this material 

all wrapped into the rocks.

Looking at it,

I knew immediately

that I wanted to create something 

from it.

A challenge!

Will I use pencil or ink?

It's going to be Large.

What would you wish?'

'Islands' 2.5x1.5" sterling silver, beach rocks;  Kathleen Faulkner

I have always lived near water.

It is a different world down below the surface.  

I don't go there but I think about it.

Sometimes I wonder if the marine creatures 

 think about

 our strange world up top.

As I walk along lost in these thoughts

I find a wish rock.

It is my lucky day

Three wishes!

'Three Wishes' brooch 1.5x2" sterling silver, paper, gouache, colored pencil,
graphite, mica;  Kathleen Faulkner

Variations on a theme

Variations on a Theme Neckpiece 18" fine and
sterling silver, beach rocks; Kathleen Faulkner

Silver is close to $50 an ounce, spot.  Spot is not the price I pay for silver. I buy sheet or wire so the refining fee brings the cost up toward $60.  This time last year spot was around $18.

This neckpiece is made from remnants and parts of other things.  I'm using up my bits and pieces hoping the price of silver will go down.

I'm focusing more on painting these days.  It is the medium I prefer and, at this rate, I may be priced out of the jewelry profession.  The good news about paintings is that, if materials get too expensive there are all kinds of things one can use to make marks.. charcoal, dirt, berries.. I even have a jar of dried octopus ink.  I've used it before and it is a beautiful sepia color.
We artist love our materials.  I've been stockpiling art supplies for years so it would take quite awhile to use it all up.

Change is a good thing.  I'm going with the flow.   We'll see where it all leads..