ABOUT THE ARTIST

After eight years in Rochester, Minnesota, I moved back west to Ashland, Oregon, in June 2006, happily closer to my Seattle home and the mountains I love. I graduated in 1993 from Dartmouth College with a degree in Studio Art. My concentration was in printmaking, more specifically lithography, though I took courses in several different mediums, including stone carving. I learned some basic jewelry making techniques at Dartmouth as well. To decompress from the rigors of studying, I backpacked for eight months in South America with my sister. Upon returning to Seattle I worked as a technical assistant for master lithographer and painter Kent Lovelace. On weekends, I also assisted stone carver and wildlife artist Tony Angell. In my spare time I carved my own stone sculptures. Working closely with two successful artists gave me the notion that one can actually make a living as an artist. I decided jewelry making was a viable option for me and began collecting the appropriate tools. My return to silversmithing marked the back-burnering of my stone carving career.

In my business, Denison Design, I focus on fabricating jewelry from sterling silver and semi-precious stones, with highlights in copper and brass. I also create a line of enameled jewelry, finding the introduction of more color very exciting and satisfying. I find inspiration in the natural world and seek to create whimsical pieces that sometimes include beach stones and sea glass, glass that has been worked by the ocean or other body of water. Lately I have also begun incorporating dichroic glass, crafted by an artist friend of mine. My eyes are always on the lookout for new, meaningful design ideas. To maintain the bright finish on the metal pieces, an occasional buffing with a silver polishing cloth may be necessary.

The following galleries feature my jewelry:

Clover Gallery, Harmony, Minnesota

The Crown Jewel, Ashland, Oregon
Frank and Dunya, Fremont, Seattle, Washington
Liv Blomma, Lanesboro, Minnesota
Rochester Art Center Gallery Shop, Rochester, Minnesota
Tamarack House Gallery, Stillwater, Minnesota

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