Influenced by Pueblo, Navajo, Chinese and African art traditions, Kathleen uses an intricate process to create patterns in her work. A multiple step process, it involves mixing several graduated shades of two or more colors. To some of these forms she adds metallic inclusions or color with artist markers then stacks them into blocks followed by cutting, combining and recombining the pieces to create elaborate patterns. These blocks are then reduced, divided and combined again to create increasingly complex patterns that are assembled into a variety of earrings, brooches, and necklaces. Kathleen adds richness and texture by carving and applying gold, silver or copper leaf. Finally, each piece receives a surface finishing process of up to ten levels of ultra fine sanding grits that create a semi-gloss surface. Depending on size and complexity of design the development of each piece involves 8 to 30 hours of crafting.
Each �Collage Series� piece begins with white clay to which Kathleen adds: color with artist marker, symbolic sketches in ink, followed by layers of clay pattern, texture and gold or silver leaf inclusions.
Part of the "Madonna Collection" this one-of-a-kind pendant with original art work by Rev. Carlos W. Anderson. It features 27" cord with 7 cafe-au-lait colored 1 1/2" bone tube beads; 4 Boaule brass beads from Ghana, brass nuggets and round spacers, ivory colored wood beads and deep turquoise glass seed beads for accent.
You may custom order a Madonna neckpiece in your choice of colors and shape. Contact Kathleen for details.
