Jo Dean Sarins
United States
“ Ocean Enigma “
"I decided to do a two sided enamel, one side each with a different interpretation of the same concept.
The challenge was both the fusing of one side and the soldering of the other. I did have a small section that did not solder all the way."
My theme is Ocean Enigma, an enigma is a thing that is mysterious.
My thought was two types of dragons. A sea dragon that does live in the ocean and a mystical dragon. ( I saw the sea dragon at the Shed Aquarium in Chicago.) I was the most mysterious creature I had ever seen. I bought a postcard of it and that is what I use for the colors and patterns.
I enjoy these enamel challenges; they make me think outside the box.
This was the beginning of drawing. A dragon on one side and a sea dragon on the other.
Did the wire work for both sides before starting the colors on the “dragon” side. I finished the “dragon” except for the sea foam, which would be added at the last firing to make it 3D.
I then finished the Sea Dragon. He is so interesting. He looks like he is made of seaweed.
There is a sterling silver post inserted in the base of the sea, this allows the dragons to turn.
I did have a problem, the sea dragon side was domed, I wanted it to be flat, as I had used 20-gauge fine silver on the whole project. It did start out flat but after finishing the “dragon” it domed and I could not flatten.
