Patricia Nelson

United States

“ Enchanted Symphony “

I was experimenting with the possibility of doing cloisonné over a decal background. I was concerned that the multiple firings and the layers of enamel over the decal would somehow damage the image, but I tried on a custom made decal and it worked! At that same time, I was asked to participate in JAMS, and was given the theme "Enchanted Symphony". I puzzled over that for no more than 15 minutes but soon my direction was clear. My decal image was a piece of ikat fabric. Two of my favorite pieces of music are "Scheherazade" by Rimski-Korsakov and "Polovetsian Dances" from the opera "Prince Igor" by Aleksandr Borodin. Just close your eyes, and enchantment is instantly at hand! The mysteries of the Silk Road, the Asian steppes, the rich fabrics, the exotic goods brought to the west which, of course, precipitated the quest for world commerce. I started to draw......the color, the drama, the ogee inspired shape, the beads - my road was clear! And here is my "Enchanted Symphony".