The Innocents

'My Kingdom for a Home' 29x24" graphite on paper;  

Kathleen Faulkner

It's been a time

of political turmoil 

and a pandemic that is ongoing

add a mix of

fear, unrest, and uncertainty.. 

I'm concentrating on my

non human friends.

 

here's a thought

'Thought Bubble' brooch 2.25x1.25" sterling silver, paper, ink, mica
Quote by Henry David Thoreau;
Kathleen Faulkner

...or don't see. 

The ocean's rainbow

'Pearl' earrings 1" diameter, sterling silver, paper, gouache,
watch glass lenses; Kathleen Faulkner

It is said that health and longevity follow those who wear pearls.

 The oldest known gem is a pearl dating back to around 520 B.C.  It is on display in the Louvre Museum in Paris. 

Knights going into battle would wear pearls as a symbol of strength and spirit, courage and protection.

The sheen is called orient luster.

a lush organic gem

a helping hand

'Safety First' 20" milagro necklace, sterling silver,
paper, gouache, ink, graphite, mica; Kathleen Faulkner

We never know what lies ahead.

Some say that we create our own reality.

Whatever is true, it can't hurt to have a helping hand.

Ex-Votos from Mexico, Girard Collection, Museum of International
Folk Art (DCA) Santa Fe, NM A.1981.42.694V.1 Photo by Paul Smutko.

We do what we need to do

'Her Eyes a Bashful Azure'
sterling silver, colored pencil,
paper, mica; Kathleen Faulkner

I read Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem, 'The Brook'.

I had been working on the Dictionary Necklace.  Azure was the last word of the 'a's' and I was trying to figure out how to draw the word without using the color.  I didn't figure it out and ended up drawing the word as it looked in the dictionary, all the while thinking about a line in Tennyson's poem.
I kept thinking about it.  I liked it so much I decided to make a necklace about it.

'Her Eyes a Bashful Azure' Back;
sterling silver, colored pencil,
paper, mica; Kathleen Faulkner

and now a word..

'Webster's New World Dictionary,

Aardvark to Azure' Necklace, 38"

paper ('a' words), sterling silver, ink,

colored pencil, mineral glass;

Kathleen Faulkner

Webster's New World Dictionary: my companion for many years.

One day I open the book and the spine splits apart.  I stand there with a piece in each hand.  I continue to use it this way for many months.  I think about replacing it but I wonder what to do with this 'two part' book.  No one will want it.  I can't throw it away or even throw it in the recycle.  That is not what one does with a book.

I'm thinking about all those words.  I'm preparing for the show 'Women Working Words'.  I decide to recycle in a manner that does not leave me guilt ridden.

The story continues

'Dickinson' necklace 5.25x1.25" Chain: 24" doubled,
FRONT; sterling silver, paper, oilpastel, mica,
Kathleen Faulkner; photo: David Scherrer

When I am working on a body of jewelry, there is no such thing as planning designs as a group.  Ideas are scattered,  designs sometimes don't mix.  It is a conglomeration.  I just start with an idea and end up wherever it may lead.  Because of this, I sometimes end up over my head.  I guess that's good for growth.  

Fortunately this body of work came together and the overwhelm was overcome.  

The inspiration for this necklace began with a piece of scrap from an old oil pastel painting and a snippet of a poem by Emily Dickinson. her lovely words tell the story.  

'Dickinson'  necklace BACK;  sterling silver,
oil pastel, ink, paper, mica, Kathleen Faulkner;
photo: David Scherrer

'Women Working Words' at Facere Jewelry Art Gallery will open February 6th. Lecture at 4pm (RSVP) and champagne opening from 5-7pm

Magnetic Poetry

A portion of the refrigerator door;  Kathleen Faulkner

I've never owned 'Magnetic Poetry' but, still, bits and pieces have managed to find their way onto my fridge.  

'Magnetic Poetry' earrings; 1x1.75"/1.25x1.75",  sterling silver,
paper, ink, mica;  Kathleen Faulkner

These earrings are included in the show 'Women Working Words' at Facere Jewelry Art Gallery in Seattle, WA. Please join us on February 6th for a lecture (RSVP) at 4pm followed by champagne opening from 5 to 7pm.  This show runs through February 26th.

photo: Kathleen Faulkner

Maybe

'Hemingway' sterling silver, paper, ink, mica;
Kathleen Faulkner;  photo:  David Scherrer

I look out my window at the school playground.  It is empty except for the girl.  I watch her swing in the hard rain,  singing

Another day I work in my garden. Evening approaches and I hear the girl singing as she swings,  alone

She is there often, most every day, for long periods.

I hear the swing as I write this.  I look.  She is there.  It is getting dark now.  It rains hard.

Something about it makes me sad.

I wonder.

An original

Necklace,  wallpaper, sterling silver, elastic;
Kathleen Faulkner

During the last several months I've been working more with found and recycled materials.  The wallpaper I used for this necklace is something I found at a garage sale several years ago.  I had no use for it at the time and wondered why I was buying it aside from the fact that it was beautiful.  It sat folded up in a corner of my workroom waiting for the day.

In a previous post I mentioned that the original material of paper beads was wallpaper.  

So, why not make an original?

Tribe

*'Birds of a Feather', Shadowbox with Brooch; Kathleen Faulkner

There are many thoughts among artists regarding the art community and what that means.  

Some see it as one nonstop, cutthroat competition.  Everyone wanting what someone else has/gets, congratulating, but feeling pangs of jealousy as the words come out.  Wondering out loud why one gets into a show but someone else doesn't, who deserves it and who doesn't. 

Then there are those who see this community as a 'tribe' that all artists belong to.  Most artists I know think like this.

We are all just trying to survive.  We, in the art community, all want the same things:  to be able to survive while having the time and inspiration to make art.  

That tells me that we are all on the same side and, like 'birds of a feather',  we should think about sticking together.

*Brooch: sterling silver, wood, paper, ink, colored pencil

This shadowbox is in the 'Birds' show at Smith & Vallee Gallery in Edison, WA