erin at treasures found chose dr. seuss for her march challenge... in my last post i discussed my planning stages a bit... and as the project grew in complexity, it also grew more daunting... i get nervous and excited... and nervous... until finally last friday i just had to start... where? at the beginning... how did i pick? resin has the longest prep and set up for me, it also would create the whole structure of the story... so i started there...
and i ended here tonight - you can ask my kids how much they have seen me since then... ok, they have seen me, i am home... but my daughter let me know my hair looked like it could be washed... thanks em!! and they heaved a collective sigh of relief when the hammer was put down... i flattened and textured practically ever piece of wire i used...
one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish... books by dr. seuss have been some of my children's and my favorites... and this book in particular could at one time be recited by me in the car or on walks from memory... one of the things i love so much about theodor geisel is how he makes so much happen with self-imposed limitations... a set number of words used to create wonder-filled, memorable rhyme... a limited palette of 7 colors - white, black, 2 shades of yellow, 2 shades of aqua/teal, red, pink & green (which appears only on the cover) - used to create images carried in our minds for a lifetime... line drawing with so much movement and whimsy...
the challenge for me was to create this style of necklace (inspired by the incredibly talented susan lenart kazmer) and honor his sensibility simultaneously...
i ordered a used book off of ebay so that i knew that the pages would have been touched - turned over and over again... and wouldn't you know the little boy wrote his name in it? and his name is alex?
i love the sound it makes... and for having at least 2 dangles per loop, it is pretty lightweight as well due to the use of resin... i did use 3 metals - sterling, annealed steel wire and nickel... the fabulously patinated star in the focal comes from shannon at missficklemedia and the colorful ceramic beads from keith o'connor... the fiber links not only tie in the main teal color to that piece on the focal, but also made me think of the worn corners on a well-read hardcover book...
left side
right side
chain
i wonder what april will bring?!
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ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely fabulous. I can't tell you how many times I checked your blog today..I was so excited to see your finished piece. I can see that it took a long time, there's so much that went into this piece. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThat necklace rocks! You inspire me to get out my resin and start pouring, lol!
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely stunned. And speechless.
ReplyDeleteYou have completely captured the spirit of the Inspired by... challenges. You have immersed yourself in Dr Seuss. You carefully thought out the design. You evoked the colors, the lines the shapes of Seuss. You made movement and sound. This is an exceptional work of art (and if it isn't accepted where you hope, keep on trying because this is nothing short of genius!)
Thank you so much for showing me what inspiration is all about.
Enjoy the day!
Erin
My eyes are open wide and I think I am drooling over this wonderful piece of art. You did Dr. Seuss proud!
ReplyDeleteToday you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.
Dr. Seuss
I am awestruck by your necklace, it is unlike anything I've ever seen. It is a work of art, pop art, modern art, Mary Jane art! Your necklace belongs in that museum where everyone can enjoy it and gain ispiration. xo
ReplyDeleteThis is so amazing! Absolutely incredible-I just love it Mary Jane!!!! What a fabulous work of art and a treasure for sure:D
ReplyDeleteOMGoodness, Mary Jane - it is
ReplyDeleteF A B U L O U S!!!!
Wow. Stunning, ingenious, fun.
It really is Mary Jane Art.
Congratulations!
I love everything about it.
WOW!!! Unbelievable amount of work and talent all "tied" into one! That's fabulous :O)
ReplyDeleteYou are so fabulously talented, the piece is great and you have captured DR Seuss style of writing impeccably in this beautiful wearable art.
ReplyDeleteRock on April, I can't wait to see what you create.
now THAT Is a challenge piece!!! Go Maire!
ReplyDeleteOMG!! that's such a fun piece!! must have taken ages just thinking what to put together and another decade putting it together and dissembling just trying to get the perfect balance! it's really gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely over the top! No doubt about it ... this will be at the museum! If I had this around my neck ... I'd be caressing and fondling it all day! You know, like what you do when your pony tail swishes ... a sensory experience with jewelry!
ReplyDeleteThis is a masterpiece!!! I absolutely love it!!!
ReplyDeleteoh my mary jane!! it is fabulous.....and I do love the star for the o. i am amazed and smiling at the beauty and fun~ness of your creation, way to go!! xoxo, L
ReplyDeleteo = sneeches :)
ReplyDeletedon't know what happened to the word.
WOW!
ReplyDeleteIt's truly amazing, Mary Jane! What a well thought concept, and incredibly well executed (and photographed!) piece. You should submit this to Art Jewelry magazine. Seriously. Congratulations on your completion!
ReplyDeleteWowwwww M.J.! Incredible!!It may have been inspired by Susan in style, but content is alll you! It's whimsical and magical!!
ReplyDeleteYou are not going to believe this, but I have a necklace to post soon very similar in style to this, but much heavier in content! We must be on the same wavelength, but I love yours, so happy and light!
Marie, this is where craft meets art.. it has heart and soul and tells a story with emotion. Bravo. Joan Tucker
ReplyDeleteWow! An amazing work of art! I'm stunned by the amount of thought and effort you put into this piece and it shows!
ReplyDeletewow, that is an amazing necklace, i agree!
ReplyDeleteOMG, the necklace is wonderful. I teach first grade and would love to wear something like this to school. My students would love it. You captured the challenge. How did you make the resin pieces, love them?
ReplyDeleteyou really were in tune with the seuss books (spirit and visual style) on this. a beautifully faithful rendition of the seuss legacy and whimsy in the jewelry medium. you've got a world class artistic sense! i would love to see this in a traveling museum exhibit, as part of a seuss collection.
ReplyDeleteMary Jane, I am sooooo amazed. I am just in awe by your masterpiece. This Dr. Seusse piece is just over the top incredible... I just love the details (and that a little boy signed his name in the book!). You have really outdone yourself!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteCindy
I thought I left a comment but I guess I messed it up. Anyway, that necklace rocks! Dr. Suess would be proud if her could see the work of art you have made in his honor. You haven't left out anything. And I even love the chain. Great job!
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable! That necklace is the most unique creation ever! yOU are so talented. I'm so impressed.. .as usual.. xo
ReplyDeleteFabulous. I love this necklace! I am reading the one fish two fish in my head right now. I thought it may have slipped away over time. But nope. You have brought it all back!!!!
ReplyDeleteMJ, this is incredible. The time and thought you put into this piece makes it so amazing.
ReplyDeleteI have to go read some Dr.Seuss to my kiddos now! Thank you for sharing.