Vanitas is a genre of still life painting that depicts symbolic objects such as overripe fruit or fading flowers as a reminder of the ephemeral nature of life.
The beautiful paradox of these paintings is that contrary to their message about the futility of earthly pleasure the objects are often painted with a clear delight in their appearance.
I made this necklace to look like something out of such a still life. Heavy with juicy, dark red garnets it's formed from pleated layers of organza - one layer dyed with yellow cosmos and the other with elderberries. Where the orange shows through the dark purple it gives the material the look of iridescent shot silk. The eldeberry colour is likely to fade to brown as it ages continuing the theme of transience.
This idea has been hatching for over a year and then it came together quite quickly during one day and a night when the baby's kicks kept me awake. Sorry to say I'm not letting go of this one so it won't be for sale but I'd like to make something similar again.
25 comments:
How gorgeous. Like precious pomegranate seeds nestled in golden flesh. I don't blame you for keeping it.
Amazingly beautiful.
certainly you should keep it: the concept came forth from within you.
it's yours. absolutely.
[what's up with that baby anyway?....ain't it time, yet??]
xx
Nicole - thank you! I haven't kept anything for a long time but couldn't resist this one :)
Valerianna - thanks!
pencilfox - well, the official term is between 38 and about 42 weeks. I'm 39 today so it could be tonight or still in two weeks' time! I'm getting impatient too :)
Exquisite.
Wow! Just like a luscious pomegranate. Your creativity is a delight to see. Best wishes with the birth of your child. May she/he bring much joy into your life.
I've been following your lovely work for some time and it has even inspired me to try some "tinctoria" projects of mine own. This latest work is too wonderful to not compliment you on! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!
you do the most interesting jewelry.amazing.
I exhaled when I read that you are holding on to this piece. Oh yes, this is meant for a new mom who is ripe with her first fruit! magnificent, this is.
Glad you are not parting with this piece, which by the way is amazing!
The outer reminds me of figs, the inner looks like a ?passion fruit, love figs, hate passion fruit!
How do you get the stones to stay in place?
Have a great weekend,
Sandie xx
wow, really!
I have felt your work is amazing. This one confirms it! And the pomegranate-ness of course captures me!
yes, this one is very fine. another of the benefits of pregnancy!
Beautiful. And I am so happy to have found your blog.
Eva,
You will treasure this seed necklace when you are old and grey.
You will remember that you made it when the baby kicked - who by then will be an adult.
This is an heirloom.
perfect....absolutely beautiful!
Jacky
How beautiful. I love this concept... and can completely see why you wouldn't want to let it go.
Thank you so much for these lovely comments!
Sandie - the stones are sewn in place, it's like smocking but with beads
Judy - I also like to remember where the colours came from so like the fact that the flowers for the inside fabric grew during this summer...
Beautiful beyond words... to feel with the heart!
Found your post via Spirit Cloth...I am just utterly amazed by the beauty of your creation...I keep coming back to your photos to have another look at your precious necklace. Best wishes for the arrival of your baby. from Jenny (Australia)
Came by way of Spirit Cloth. Your necklace is stunning, so unique! Take care and Best Wishes.
Very, very beautiful. xo
breathtaking!
C'est extraordinaire !! Beautiful !! I just discover your blog today and I just say.. wow !!
I just discovered your blog (thanks to Pinterest :-)
This piece is so beautiful...made me think of a pomegranate too. I hope you make more of these when you have time.
I am also a Midlands girl BTW.
Linda
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