Sunflower 2012

Years ago, Jonna (Faulkner) and Marcie Stone taught in the south of France with Gwen Gibson at Gwen’s wonderful home & studio in Dufort.  While the women were teaching, I was out and about in the countryside, visiting villages, listening to “the Lady and the Unicorn” as an audiobook, and shooting sunflower fields because every last sunflower in France was in bloom. Some of the photos from that trip have been posted in these pages.

From that trip to today, I’ve had a real fondness for sunflowers.  So, when I started seeing them at Trader Joe’s a few days ago, I just couldn’t resist.  I figured, if the photos didn’t turn out, at least the flowers would look great in the house.

Sunflower close. Photography by Steve Rossman

Shot in my Escondido studio with a Nikon D300 Camera and Nikkor 85mm micro lens.

Posted in Fine Images, Floral | 4 Comments

Contemporary Metal Clay Jewelry, a Talk by Jonna Faulkner at the San Diego Bead Society this Saturday

This Saturday, May 19, Jonna Faulkner will present “State of the Art: Metal Clay 2012” at a monthly meeting of the Bead Society of San Diego at 10:00 am at the Mingei Museum in Balboa Park.  (In the interest of full disclosure, Jonna is my wife, but most of you already knew that.)

Jonna, an Escondido-based jewelry designer, metal clay artist and instructor, has assembled a stunning collection of photos of work from many of the most respected artisans working in metal clay today.

Whether you’re a jewelry addict, a metal clay fanatic or just curious about this new medium, you’ll have the opportunity to see extraordinary work by Celie Fago, Hadar Jacobson, Vicky Hallmark, Kimberly Nogueira, Liz Hall, Gordon Ueyhara and many others.

Hope you can make it.  It’ll be a fascinating show.

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Crushed Cuff by Carol Ognibene Kornievsky

A few weeks ago, I taught a Jewelry Photography class to a group of MASSC (Metal Arts Society of Southern California) artists in Orange County, CA.  It was a blast.  I love meeting talented people and getting to see the work they bring to class.

One of the Students, Carol Ognibene Kornievsky, wore a gorgeous cuff that I shot towards the end of the day.

Silver Cuff by Carol Ognibene Kornievsky.  Jewelry Photography by Steve Rossman

Carol’s “Crushed Cuff” is fabricated using both fine and sterling silver.  The draping of the metal is reminiscent of the soft folds of silk fabric, while a subtle lined pattern catches and reflects light.  It really is quite a spectacular piece.

Here’s how Carol describes the process:  ”The cuff is made using a vise and pvc tubing. The metal is actually crushed in the jaws of the vise while being protected by the pvc tubing.  It is then buffed to a shine at its high points while leaving a coating of fine matte silver in the folds.”

Carol has been studying and practicing metalsmithing through Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA.  She’s a workshop “junkie” and so is constantly learning new techniques. Her style is eclectic and constantly changing as new skills are acquired and earlier learned techniques are refined.

You can see much more of Carol’s work at Flight of Light, her company and website.  Here’s the link:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Flight-of-Light/214193108678197

or at her Etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/FlightofLight?ref=si_shop

The cuff was shot in a portable studio in Orange County, CA with a Nikon D300 and a Nikkor 60mm micro lens.  Two softbox tungsten lights were used for illumination, along with a filtered panel of L.E.D. lights  for up-lighting.

Posted in Jewelry | 7 Comments

Recent work by Susan Blessinger

Susan Blessinger is an artist of enormous talent.  While, in the past, she has primarily created stunning jewelry with beads, she’s recently explored working with wire mesh products as well.  Everything she touches turns to art.

Susan has shared both of these photos on her Facebook page, but I think they merit being posted here as well.  The pieces combine to  show the breadth of her talent.

Beachwalk Necklace by Susan Blessinger. Jewelry photography by Steve Rossman.Beachwalk Necklace
Birdnest 2 bracelet by Susan Blessinger. Jewelry photography by Steve Rossman.Birdnest 2

Both were shot in my Escondido studio with a Nikkor 85mm micro lens.

Posted in Jewelry | 3 Comments

Torrey Pines/Black’s Beach Cliff-side Paintings

I went for a long walk on the beach below Torrey Pines State Reserve today with an old friend, and came upon these amazing natural “cliff-side paintings.”  And here’s the equally amazing part:  these shots were taken with my new little iPhone camera.  I’m in awe of the quality capable with this device.

 

 

You’re looking at natural erosion and accumulation patterns on the side of a cliff face, shot at eye level from a distance of roughly 15 to 20 feet.

The third image is stitched together in Photoshop from the first two shots.

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Roses in the rain

Our rose garden is in bloom.  We had sun showers today.

Rose in the rain 3.  Photography by Steve Rossman.Rose in the rain 1. Photography by Steve Rossman.

Rose in the rain 2. Photography by Steve Rossman.

Posted in Fine Images, Floral | 7 Comments

Ruth Barnett’s gorgeous wire work chain with antique East Indian pendants

Ruth Barnett gave a wonderful presentation on her creative approaches to wire work yesterday at the San Diego Bead Society’s monthly meeting.  Ruth studied with internationally recognized wire work artist Lynne Merchant.  She said that Lynne inspired students with her techniques, her emphasis on craftsmanship, and by encouraging them to use the skills learned in her workshops to find their own creative voices.  The incredible body of work that Ruth shared in her talk made it plain that she took all those lessons to heart.   She was here at our home a few weeks ago for a “hinges” workshop taught by Fred Zweig (more on this in a future post).  While she was here, I had the opportunity to shoot a gorgeous necklace of hers.

Wire work chain with antique East Indian pendants by Ruth Barnett. Photography by Steve Rossman

The elements hanging from Ruth’s chain are antique East Indian pendants depicting various gods and goddesses; Indians wore them (probably still do) as protective amulets.  The magnificent chain, fabricated by Ruth, shows these treasures off to their best advantage.

Shot in my Escondido studio with a Nikon D300 DSLR and a Nikkor 60mm micro lens.

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