Laura Wright
United States
“ Confident whispers “
"As a brand new enamelist from Minnesota, the State of Lakes and Great Lake Superior, I created a “Northern Mermaid.” We often have long, cold winters here - and I envisioned her to be sitting quietly upon the cool, slick and frosty broken ice shelves, resting and reflecting within the open and vast land of frozen waters. In spirit, she presents a quiet confidence and can hear the whispers of the slow steady ice melt - in the coming of seasons change. She can hear the sweet and soft unspoken song of Spring and calls softly back out to it - representing a subtle hope that sometimes comes with the coming of anticipated change. I used a pallet of soft colors from Thompson and a simple body, simple soft fine silver wires, and fine silver backing almost as if she had come to me in a dream. No one has ever seen a “Northern Mermaid” (or heard her soft confident whispers) and I feel as though this gives us just a special, gentle, quiet moments glimpse of her.
This project was a lot of fun! I had less than 6 months experience with enamels when she was created - so I learned a lot about working with enamels, learning how to operate my kiln and fire, learning how to bend and shape wires. I have no prior experience or background all at with enamel so this was my first true original art and I very proud to share her with you all! And bring her to life.
Although she has no face, as an artist, I can sure feel her smile in seeing our spring and summer flowers.
Thank you for the opportunity to share some of my very first work. Grateful for enamel art jam! And thank you, Sandra, for all of your encouragement and work to make this happen!
I have also been learning metalsmithing the past year and have a very small Etsy shop, just starting out. I am hearing my “Northern Mermaid” whisper back to me too with her quiet confidence - to continue forward - and to share my work in the coming seasons anticipated with change.
Etsy shop: CattailCoveInc
Web: Cattailcove.com (under development)