Line and Negative Space by Judy Stone

Vessel/sculpture

Enamel, copper vessel form, copper rivets and wire, gold foil

sgraffito, sifting, wet floating, satin finishing

8 1/4 x 7 inches diameter, 5 1/4 inches high

My work is a unique composite of enameling techniques based on the contemporary work of the late Fred Ball and the teaching of the late Bill Helwig I work mainly on copper vessel forms which are cut and then rejoined with woven copper wire and copper rivets. I call these "destructed" vessels "Burnt Offerings" because they not only represent my homage to the medium and the power of heat and fire, but also challenge me to heal what has been destroyed and hopefully create a different balance by putting the pieces back together. The optical properties of the medium challenge me to burrow under its surface. After finishing a piece I often give it a title suggestive of a place or an idea. Sometimes the title remains elusive as I challenge my own working of the medium. I want the satin finishes of each piece to be handled and caressed. I want light to play on and through the pieces.

I have been enameling since 1972. I am basically self taught but I owe my technical development and creative sensibility to all my teachers and peers through the years. I currently live and work in El Cerrito, CA. I teach at The Crucible in Oakland, CA where I founded the enamel department. I have served on the boards of The Enamelist Society and The Northern California Enamel Guild. Besides teaching I have contributed to and my work has appeared in several publications. In 2013 I started a non-profit called The Center for Enamel Art. Visit enamelcenter.org to find out more about this entity.