Wrought & Woven Elements™

metal art to wear as jewelry & weaving to wear for life

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Negative Spaces

My sister, Jo-Ann, is a brilliant artist. If you asked her, she would say her medium is oils, but she excels in printmaking as well. See her work at www.JAMelrose.com

I am not an artist – well, not in the traditional sense. My medium is metal. I can’t draw so much as a stick figure. You wouldn’t want to play “Hangman” with me; you’d be dead within 6 letters. My sister, however, could keep you alive with ears, nose, hands, even a belly button. She insists that anyone can draw. ‘Just pick up a pencil and put it to paper!’ she exclaims. I’m sure, if I really put my mind to it, and practiced – a lot – I could give the hanging guy more of a chance, but who has THAT much time?

Recently, while sipping cocktails and solving the worlds problems, the subject of drawing came up again. But this time Jo-Ann said something that I had never heard before; ‘Look at the negative spaces.’ She suggested instead of getting hung up on trying to render an apple, or table, or whatever subject matter at hand, I look at the space around it. Draw the line that forms the space on the left side of the subject, or the top or bottom. Wow. This rocked my world! All of a sudden I was seeing things in a very different light. Trees, bridges, even telephone poles and their wires became intricate, beautiful images.

Ok, so how does this relate to your metalwork you ask? Well, much of my frustration when making a piece is seeing past the single plane. Using the negative space theory, now when I form a metal shape, I look at the relationship it has to it’s immediate surrounding space. This usually leads to another shape, and perhaps, another, which is now related to the first, and so on, creating a more pleasing design. As I said; it rocked my world.

Filed Under: Musings

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The Wrought and Woven Studio

Judy Schaefer, Artist
Studio 115
The Mill at Shady Lea
215 Shady Lea Road
North Kingstown, RI 02852
631-896-9683
JSchaefer11@gmail.com
Open to the Public
Thursday - Saturday 10AM-5PM

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My piece, ‘Cinched’ showing at the Hera Galler My piece, ‘Cinched’ showing at the Hera Gallery in Wakefield RI.
https://www.heragallery.org/visions-from-the-loom #wireweaving #wovenwire #weaversofinstagram #handwoventextiles
Trying out some heat patina on copper to complimen Trying out some heat patina on copper to compliment the handwoven wire and silk piece #weaversofinstagram #wireweaving #textiledesign #handwoventextile #metalsmithing #metalforming #themillatshadylea
Betty Prior- my father’s favorite rose Betty Prior- my father’s favorite rose
The white garden #greenthumb The white garden #greenthumb
Happy Easter! #wherestherabbit #familyfun #eastert Happy Easter! #wherestherabbit #familyfun #eastertrimmings
Thank you to all our wonderful visitors who came t Thank you to all our wonderful visitors who came to the open studios event at Shady Lea Mill this past weekend. And a big shout out to my fellow studio mates who worked so hard to create a beautiful show! #shadylea
Sweet little silver and copper with fresh water pe Sweet little silver and copper with fresh water pearl necklace and matching earrings. Available at the Shady lea Mill Open Studios Tour this weekend! #handmadejewelry #metalsmith #shadyleamill
Believe it or not some pretty jewelry is coming ou Believe it or not some pretty jewelry is coming out of this mess! Visit us on December 1st and 2nd at the Shadylea Open Studios Tour! #handmade jewelry #metalsmithing #shadyleamill
Changing hats! Moving from the weaving bench to th Changing hats! Moving from the weaving bench to the jewelers bench. Making lots of one of a kind pieces for the December 1st&2nd Open Studios Tour #metalsmith #handcrafted jewelry #shadyleamill #jewelrydesign #metalarts
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