Allegory of Abundance

Sometimes, the Universe extends the most extraordinary gifts.  Magical moments.  Something happens that is so amazingly mystical, we must stop and pay attention.  I've experienced two such instances over the past few weeks.  


Extraordinary gift #1:  I love antique shows and flea markets.  I've found some of my most prized possessions at local antique fairs.  Last summer, I purchased a beautiful print in a vintage frame for $8.  A little bruised and battered, but still in excellent condition, I proudly displayed my new picture in a strategic location I could easily view often.  I knew this beautiful drawing had a significant meaning, but didn't know the artist or how to even begin researching it.  One evening, I stood for a few moments in front of the painting, quietly asking to know the meaning.  Afterwards (the SAME evening), I retired for a few moments of Pinterest fun.  Among the many random pictures, a painting caught my eye.  Something about this painting, something vague, reminded me of my drawing.  I followed the pin...and to my amazement, it led me to the works of Sandro Botticelli, famous artist from the 1400s and to my drawing...

"The Allegory of Abundance"

"The drawing was first published as Botticelli by Robinson in his 1876 catalogue of John Malcolm's collection, and this attribution has generally been accepted. The drawing is usually dated to the early or mid 1480s as the stilted, yet graceful posture of Abundance and the exaggerated elongation of her form recall figures in Botticelli's mythological paintings of the period, the 'Primavera' and the 'Birth of Venus' (Florence, Uffizi). The learned classical allusions of these paintings also accord with the subject matter of the drawing which is derived from Book 9 of Ovid's Metamorphoses, where it is related that Hercules broke off one of the horns of the river god Achelous, who had transformed himself into a bull, and this was then sanctified and employed by the Goddess of Plenty to carry the fruits of Autumn's harvest. The drawing cannot be related directly to any painting by Botticelli, although it does bear some resemblance to a studio work representing an 'Allegory of Drunkenness' of circa 1485-90 in Chantilly". (www.britishmuseum.org).  


I find it amazing, that out of the hundreds of drawings, paintings, etc. that I could have chosen at an antique fair, I gravitated to this one...a beautiful reminder to focus on ABUNDANCE instead of loss; to focus on BLESSINGS instead of heartaches; to focus on LOVE in the place of hate.  Our Universe is full of mystical, whimsical, synchronistic surprises.  You just have to be open to receiving them!

Come back again soon for extraordinary gift #2...blessings.

"Artisan and Assemblage"

as·sem·blage:  A sculptural composition consisting of an arrangement of miscellaneous objects or found materials.
ar·ti·san:  a skilled worker who practices some trade or handicraft.


I love making jewelry.  I work as an artisan jewelry designer, which means I practice the "handicraft" of jewelry making.  There are several types of jewelry design and different techniques wherein artists approach their  work.  Some artists make practically every component of their designs, from their closures, to their jump rings to their chain.  Other artists utilize the assemblage technique, composing their designs from a series of pre-made findings, pendants and chain.  Neither approach is better than the other; simply different.  


The handmade artisan designer invests a tremendous amount of time in his or her work, spending countless hours hammering, annealing, shaping, bending and wrapping until the masterpiece reaches completion.  The assemblage artists possesses an ability to "see" how things work together, consolidating colors and varying textures to arrange beautiful "sculptural compositions" for adornment.  I utilize both techniques in my jewelry-making practice, and adore both approaches.  I do, however, feel a tremendous amount of pride when I make something completely from my imagination.  Whatever approach one takes, it's just important to CREATE, CREATE, CREATE!  and have fun...

"AIR SERIES"
TEXTURED, ANNEALED COPPER WITH RIVETED COMPONENT
SOLDERED PENDANT

BEADED CHAIN

I LOVE THE NATURAL LOOK OF ANNEALED COPPER

ASSEMBLAGE EARRINGS

ASSEMBLAGE GODDESS PENDANT (I HAVEN'T NAMED HER YET)

CAN YOU SEE THE DRAGONFLY?