Paulette Bennett

“Quiet Shadows”

My theme for the Enamel art jam 2022 is “Quiet Shadows”.  When I learned of my theme assignment, my mind went immediately to a picture I took last year of a special place that literally saved my sanity and health during the last two years of the Pandemic.

Cameron Park Lake, located 3 miles from our home in Cameron Park, CA, has a 1-mile walking path around it and is teeming with swan, Canadian geese, ducks, red-wing blackbirds, and all manner of wild-life.  Almost every day, for the last two years, my husband, Roger, and I have walked, and eventually run, around the lake.

We both have Parkinsons and have learned that exercise has a huge impact on both our physical and mental health.  When the Pandemic hit and we could no longer go to the gym, we knew we had to find another way.  However, the serenity, beauty and thrill of watching the daily life of the lake dwellers has provided us with so much more than just exercise.

That is why my mind went immediately to our two shadows, standing at the edge of the lake, watching the swans swim in circles, a mating ritual that often looks like a ballet.  The quiet, standing there under the oak trees, reminded us how lucky we are to have this place to heal ourselves 

My piece attempts to capture that feeling of serenity.  I started with the photograph and created the initial design in Silhouette Curio Software.  I etched the design in copper first and discovered which part of my design would not work.  After creating a second piece, I went on to fine silver sheet. 

I had trouble with wires on the first silver piece and needed to again rethink my design to better accommodate the wires.  I created a second silver piece but due to my uneven dapping and too-thick enamel, the enamel cracked.  

I created my next piece using PMC fine silver.  Due to the shrinkage factor, I again needed to rethink my design and simplify my wiring.  Upon completion I felt my piece was not simple enough and the bail and decorations totally overwhelmed the intent of the scene. 

My final piece is again fine silver sheet, and I changed my design to highlight the shadows.  I am still not happy with my finishing of the enamel, but I am out of silver and think I need to stop…. 

I am a novice with cloisonné enamel.  I took a wonderful class with Sandra McEwen a few years ago but, at the time, I was mainly a lampworker and did not practice.  Thus, this project was a wonderful challenge for me, and I learned a tremendous amount. 

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