I had been so much inside my ‘cave’ making New Mokume Gane jewelry, and suddenly it’s autumn!
Usually, I need more time to create jewelry with New Mokume Gane, a technique of combining silver and copper using Art Clay Silver and Copper (click here to read more about it). The need for extra time often means pushing whatever pushable things aside, to make way to complete the projects. As I finished with the photography this week, I noticed how the weather had changed dramatically.
From green to red, the change was so fast
I’m glad I’ve finished my pieces so I can take them with me to my upcoming New Mokume Gane workshop in Italy. These pieces showcase what is possible to create, utilizing the technique I’m going to teach.
This time, I completed five sets of jewelry. Here we go:
‘The Edgy Butterflies’
Butterfly wings have amazing patterns, which inspired me to create this pair of earrings.
Silver, copper, synthetic stones, patina
‘The Window’
An experiment piece, playing with a cutout. I pair this with silver earrings which resemble the form of the silver accent.
Silver, copper, synthetic stones, heat patina
‘Pebbly’
Love the way silver and copper could mimic the natural stones! Only possible with New Mokume Gane.
Silver, copper, synthetic stones, patina
‘Two in a Million’
This pair is very shiny -just like a fish itself- although they show a bit matte on this pic.
Silver, copper, synthetic stones, heat patina
‘Pebble it up’
Another piece inspired by balancing pebbles. Different types and shapes of ‘stones’ create an interesting composition. Marbling pattern fits perfectly to natural stones.
Silver, copper, synthetic stones, patina
I’m delighted with these pieces and, as always, learned some new things too. I look forward to sharing the wonder of New Mokume Gane to the workshop participants in Italy!
As of it goes along with the theme, in between the busy days I had a chance to marvel some Italian Renaissance Art.
Inside the National Museum of Finland
I was invited to attend the opening of the newest exhibition at the National Museum of Finland or Kansallismuseo: ‘The Renaissance. Now! – from Raphael to Titian’. The museum is located in the center of Helsinki. From my studio, it’s just about fifteen minutes walk. If you’re visiting Helsinki, make sure to pop to this National Romantic style building, especially if you’re an Art Noveau lover.
The exhibition displays paintings by Italian Renaissance artists who worked in Lombardy, Venice and Milan between 1500 and 1600. If I was right, this is the first time a painting by Titian was displayed in Finland. Public’s enthusiasm was high, the exhibition floor was packed, I often had to wait before able to enjoy the paintings completely.
There are religious themes paintings, as well as daily scenes. Almost all of the paintings are primarily on loan from Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo in Brescia, which has been under an ongoing renovation. I wasn’t familiar with Brescia, and according to what I heard, indeed it’s perhaps not as popular as Rome or Venice, but an equally wonderful place to visit for art lovers.
Since the beginning, I knew I’d particularly be interested in the rich details of the Renaissance fashion and jewelry that are showcased in the paintings. There were so many magnificent pieces, I adore those Ladies in their beautiful gowns. I took some pictures which I share below, unfortunately, that time I had limited camera space and couldn’t make notes; my apologies for the missing painters’ names and paintings’ titles. I tried to google these but couldn’t get a result.
The details caught my eyes. And of course, the squirrel too.
Amazingly rich details, I can feel the weight of the fabric and fluffiness of the fan.
One of my favorites. Always impressed with that face expression and body language.
As mentioned at the opening ceremony, the exhibition was first held in Poland, currently in Helsinki, and then to the Netherlands. In Helsinki, you can visit it until January 15th 2017.
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