Jean Westman
Metalsmith
Sterling Silver Jewelry, Copper Ornaments & Enameled Pieces
4919 Belmont Road
Grand Forks, ND
610-9392
Metalsmith
Sterling Silver Jewelry, Copper Ornaments & Enameled Pieces
4919 Belmont Road
Grand Forks, ND
610-9392
Artist Statement:
Inspiration for my work comes from creation, manipulation and sometimes the reassembly of an object. I work off of this original element by picking it up, playing with it, turning it around and examine it thoroughly. After examination, the original element becomes the centerpiece of my design.
Several years ago I researched and photographed wrought iron crosses that are most prominent in Western North Dakota Germans-from-Russia cemeteries. I have also located similar crosses in remote areas of Minnesota, throughout the United States and in Canada. I have also discovered Métis, Swedish and Ukrainian versions. These crosses were designed and forged by immigrant blacksmiths who settled the prairies. Each craftsman had his own unique style, which I use as inspiration for a series of Prairie Cross Pendants.
The beauty of these lone sentinels of the prairie, our states most precious folk art, must be treasured and preserved for future generations.
Inspiration for my work comes from creation, manipulation and sometimes the reassembly of an object. I work off of this original element by picking it up, playing with it, turning it around and examine it thoroughly. After examination, the original element becomes the centerpiece of my design.
Several years ago I researched and photographed wrought iron crosses that are most prominent in Western North Dakota Germans-from-Russia cemeteries. I have also located similar crosses in remote areas of Minnesota, throughout the United States and in Canada. I have also discovered Métis, Swedish and Ukrainian versions. These crosses were designed and forged by immigrant blacksmiths who settled the prairies. Each craftsman had his own unique style, which I use as inspiration for a series of Prairie Cross Pendants.
The beauty of these lone sentinels of the prairie, our states most precious folk art, must be treasured and preserved for future generations.
Artist Biography:
I was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota and lived there till I retired from the Human Nutrition Research Center in 2003. My husband, Dwight, and I then moved to Climax MN. We moved again last November to Crookston, MN because our house was bought out to make way for the town dike.
I began my studies at the University of North Dakota as an older-than-average student and while employed by the university, I took all the required jewelry classes and then did independent study, in that department, for another four years.
I have been fortunate to be able to study under a variety of accomplished jewelry artists. My first instructor was Ellen Auyong. She started the jewelry program at the university. My next teacher was Nelda Schrupp, a Native American whose main focus is sterling silver ceremonial rattles and other related jewelry. Her jewelry is displayed at the Renwick Gallery in Washington DC. Tara Stephenson came to the school the next year. Her focus was lockets and boxes with hinges and clasps. Her husband, Dennis Nahabetian, helped out sometimes. He is known for his mesh forms that relax the boundaries between metal and fiber art. Dennis and Tara also introduced me to the art of enameling glass onto metal. My last instructor at the school was Melissa Lovinggood. She aided me when I focused on researching the wrought iron crosses in turn of the century cemeteries.
Early in my jewelry education I received a scholarship to Split Rock Arts in Duluth MN. I study with Pier Volkos. She discovered Polymer Clay in Germany and introduced the art form to us here in the USA. The next year I returned to Split Rock to study with Mary Lee HU. She uses precious metals to sculpt thru wire and fold forming.
Since my retirement I have traveled to cemeteries in several states photographing wrought iron crosses and researching the history of the same. I discovered that many different countries have their own style of these crosses.
I was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota and lived there till I retired from the Human Nutrition Research Center in 2003. My husband, Dwight, and I then moved to Climax MN. We moved again last November to Crookston, MN because our house was bought out to make way for the town dike.
I began my studies at the University of North Dakota as an older-than-average student and while employed by the university, I took all the required jewelry classes and then did independent study, in that department, for another four years.
I have been fortunate to be able to study under a variety of accomplished jewelry artists. My first instructor was Ellen Auyong. She started the jewelry program at the university. My next teacher was Nelda Schrupp, a Native American whose main focus is sterling silver ceremonial rattles and other related jewelry. Her jewelry is displayed at the Renwick Gallery in Washington DC. Tara Stephenson came to the school the next year. Her focus was lockets and boxes with hinges and clasps. Her husband, Dennis Nahabetian, helped out sometimes. He is known for his mesh forms that relax the boundaries between metal and fiber art. Dennis and Tara also introduced me to the art of enameling glass onto metal. My last instructor at the school was Melissa Lovinggood. She aided me when I focused on researching the wrought iron crosses in turn of the century cemeteries.
Early in my jewelry education I received a scholarship to Split Rock Arts in Duluth MN. I study with Pier Volkos. She discovered Polymer Clay in Germany and introduced the art form to us here in the USA. The next year I returned to Split Rock to study with Mary Lee HU. She uses precious metals to sculpt thru wire and fold forming.
Since my retirement I have traveled to cemeteries in several states photographing wrought iron crosses and researching the history of the same. I discovered that many different countries have their own style of these crosses.
