We're All Ears :: February Inspiration :: Sculpt the World

Jon Foreman is a land artist from Wales. He was inspired by the natural materials abundantly found in his seaside location to create his ephemeral land art sculptures. Stones, sticks, shells, leaves, sand, and more find their way into his hauntingly beautiful mandala-like sculptures. Can you imagine the delight in coming upon one of these out in the wild?

From his website - https://sculpttheworld.smugmug.com -

A creator of various styles of Land Art, he is ever in search of “different.” Be it with stones or leaves, inland or on beaches. He has even created works in derelict environments using materials such as broken glass or ashes and general debris. The scale of his work varies massively; he may use stones or driftwood to make something small and minimal. Otherwise he may be seen drawing massive scale sand drawings up to 50 metres across. His work is ephemeral in many differing ways; Most often the weather and immediate climate will make his work disappear (be blown down/washed away by the tide), and sometimes other people will interfere. This is all part of the creative process and has proven to benefit his work. Jon’s practice is not just something he enjoys but it is also a therapy for him, an escape from the stresses of everyday life. Jon began his journey making Land Art/Sculpture while in college but he feels his creative play with materials and innovative ideas are something which started long before. Most of his work takes place in an already beautiful setting such as the Pembrokeshire coastline. Having grown up there he saw the beauty of the coastline and woodlands and made use of them by collaborating with nature itself.

When I first saw these images on www.BoredPanda.com I immediately thought of beads! Each of these experimental sculptures is massive yet so intimate. The act of placing each stone, stick or leaf in just the right place based on color, size and shape is really remarkable. The circular shapes, with radiating rays and spirals are so very ancient and powerful. I imagine that there is a lot of planning that goes into these, and a meditative experience in completing them. Reminds me of my process of working with just the right beads that I "happen" to find in my beady landscape!

Be sure to look through both the 70+ pictures on the BoredPanda site for more inspiration as well as checking out his website for other materials and sculpture installations. There is even a short film of him working on a massive sand canvas piece along a rugged Welsh coastline. Beautiful! Well worth the time to watch. Show him some love, because his art is awesome!

Jon Foreman - Sculpt The World

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Of course you could just focus on the patterns and shapes that Foreman uses, or you could incorporate natural elements like sticks and stones and leaves into your interpretation. Lots of options! Hope to have you play along with me...and tell your friends, too! Be sure to come back on Friday, February 21st for the reveal!

Funky Square Spirals

It's rare when I make earrings that don't include at least 1 piece of my Copper Components
 but here is one of the exceptions.

These were inspired by a recent Component of the Month Challenge on the Art Jewelry Elements. I have yet to finish that piece especially since I stole a couple of the Square Spiral components to make these earrings. They were calling to me I had to do it!! 

 

 

These earrings are light as a feather. Fun and funky and have lots of movement.

 

I didn't use this tutorial but thought you might be interested in making Square Spirals yourself.

 

 

 

 

Source: beadinggem.com via Peachy on Pinterest

And I'm totally in love with these Square Spiral Spacer Beads and had to buy some.

 

 

Source: artfire.com via Shadow Dog Designs on Pinterest

These earrings and lot of other finished jewelry and components are available in my Etsy Shop.

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy

Labyrinth

Walk, turn; walk, turn; walk, turn....

So goes the path of a labyrinth, a medieval stone maze often set into the floor of a church and used as a prayerful and contemplative journey inward by penitents for centuries.

The most famous and oldest surviving labyrinth is found in the Cathedral of our Lady of Chartres in France. This 13th century marvel of architectural engineering still has most of its original stained glass windows intact and the facade with the famous flying buttresses is much as it was when it was built over 800 years ago.

{photo courtesy of Wikipedia}

As soon as I saw the pattern on these ceramic tile charms from Marsha Neal Studios I felt that they looked like this ancient labyrinth. The devoted will bow their heads and walk the lines putting themselves in a meditative state. The twists and turns spiral ever closer to the center, closer to God. They make the journey inward rather than outward, and there is much to be discovered within. Finger labyrinths are also popular and can be used in much the same way. Perhaps wearing these earrings, with their little ceramic tiles would remind me that there is much to be discovered within if I am patient and devoted to finding my own truth.

{the journey within - labyrinth - treasures for your ears available on Etsy}

Erin Prais-Hintz invites you to go on a journey of inspiration at her blog Treasures Found :: Inspiration is Everywhere. You can view a gallery of her work at http://www.tesoritrovati.com/ or purchase her new line of 'Simple Truths' in her Etsy shop.