One of the art-jewelry galleries Jeff has most admired over the years has been Velvet da Vinci, located in San Francisco. Known internationally for innovative contemporary work, they represent artists from the US, Europe, Latin America and Japan. They are a regular must-see stop for collectors, museum curators, and other knowledgeable art-jewelry enthusiasts. So, just imagine how excited Jeff was when he received his first invitation to exhibit his work in their gallery. “Earrings 3” opened last Friday April 15, with an artists reception, and continues through May 8, 2016. Jeff is honored to be shown alongside some of the top names in the international art jewelry community. So if you’re in or near San Francisco, check it out. http://www.velvetdavinci.com/category/current-2/
For those who have been asking about Jeff’s next workshop here in the U.S., here is an upcoming two-day workshop Memorial Day weekend May 29-30. Polymer Clay Express in New Market Maryland will be hosting the class “Botanical Wonders—Miniature Polymer Hollowware for Jewelry” for intermediate to advanced students of polymer. Class will meet from 9:00 am – 5:30 pm with an hour for lunch. The fee is $250 (50% nonrefundable deposit required). Please see the website below and register by calling (800) 844 0138.
In this class you’ll explore the botanical world of blossoms, seeds and pods as expressed in small-scale holloware forms. With simple techniques you may create small form/molds, and through clay layering and multi-cycle curing, build holloware pieces for use as beads, pins, or pendants. The results are strong, light and often reproducible jewelry elements. Surface ornamentation and finishing techniques will be discussed as time allows. This is a technique workshop, not a project class, therefore all students must have a basic working knowledge of polymer clay. Space is limited so reserve now!
Polymer Clay Express – Botanical Wonders Workshop Class Details
If you’ve ever wondered what Jeff does as his day job here’s your answer. He and his wife Kay Rosburg are partners and owners of the graphic design studio Dever Designs, in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC. They recently launched their redesigned website which illustrates the range of work their studio does. So take a moment and see how they spend the other half of their lives.
After Jeff’s work appeared in the “LOOT” show at MAD the Museum of Art and Design in New York last fall, he was approached by the Executive Organizers of China Millennium Monument World Art Museum in Beijing China. They invited him to participate in the third “Beijing International Contemporary Metal & Jewelry Art Exhibition” BICMAJA. Though communication and coordination was trying at times, after careful vetting through the art jewelry community, he ultimately agreed to participate—his first international exhibition. Jeff says “I am so honored to be included among this talented pool of international art jewelry artists. I sincerely feel that this is another small victory for the exposure of polymer as a medium. I’ve been blessed to have many people who have shared their knowledge with me along the way. This is fruit of the efforts of Elise Winters, The Polymer Collection Project, Bruce Pepich and Lena Vigna at RAM, and all the other participating museums. Kudos to all.” The exhibition runs November 8-22, and here are a sampling of the work Jeff contributed. Here is a link to their website which is accessible in English but a bit awkward to navigate. There is a glitch, and the 2015 artists don’t come up when you click the appropriate link. Hopefully that will be resolved soon.
http://www.jinshuyishu.com/portfolio.asp?id=13
Well ,we’re at SOFA Chicago and had a wonderful VIP Preview event Thursday night—lots of interest. Among the new work Jeff is showing are a few versions of what he calls “P’installations”. These are small arrangements of pins that an individual can arrange or “install” on their own garments. For the most elaborate of these pieces, Jeff collaborated with wearables artist Teresa Marie Widuch to create “Eden’s Harvest”. Working closely with her, they designed a custom vest with an oversized lapel to accommodate a 7 piece P’installation, facing a unique double lapel on the opposite side, and complemented by an inset chartreuse detail down the spine. Here are a few additional interpretations of his P’installations also available at Hedone Gallery.
We’re in Chicago for our annual pilgrimage to the SOFA exhibition where Jeff is premiering a number of new pieces this weekend. Here is one of the works he’ll be showing, the sculptural basket “Jardin Nouveau”, just a taste of what will be on display. So if you’re in the Chicago come on by the Hedone Gallery (Booth 1102) and say hello. Stay tuned over the next few days to see more. http://www.sofaexpo.com/
On newsstands now, “Art Jewelry” magazine’s September issue features Jeff’s installation piece “Whence From a Darkling Heart” on their “The Back Page”. In this department they highlight the works of art where the backs of the pieces are as highly detailed and finished as the rest of the piece. Initially created for and shown at the (In)Organic exhibition at RAM, the Racine Art Museum, in the fall of 2014, one of the editors approached Jeff after attending the opening night reception and suggested it would be perfect for “The Back Page”. Please enjoy this image of the featured piece.
Whence from a Darling Heart
April 10, 2015 After many years of promising that Jeff’s website was “coming” …. here it is! Please send a message through the contact form if you have any questions or need information about upcoming classes.