I keep hearing from collectors that the glyptics are the closest thing they can get to a modern memento mori. That the carved gemstones are welcome and slot easily into their active collection of antique Victorian Era jewellery.
It has led to discussions about reverse-painted rock crystal, and while I’d like to eventually explore that, I’m not there yet.
How I started setting painted cabochons is, as usual, something I tripped into, through the back door. In my feverish stone buying, I found myself with both shell and rock crystal discs of the same size (16mm). They seemed stackable and I thought, “Could this shell finally serve as the natural canvas that I’ve wondered about using in jewellery?”
The answer is no. The slight curvature to both stones forced me to table the plan, but it got me thinking about why I don’t just paint on sterling silver.
In the past, my issue with pictorial jewellery was that I couldn’t get excited about the idea of slinging a print behind some glass, but fiddling with paint and durable, natural materials does thrill me.
So: the very thing that got me painting on tinplate toys every year has bled into my jewellery making, and that is: there’s just something wonderful about moving pigment around on metal.
First, I painted the face of a stranger- the sort that would caper about on my canvases, and second, I painted my dog. I’m going soft.
I swore I would never paint pet portraits. I put it in writing. And it seems I’ll have to nail that declaration to a board and spray it with buckshot - which I will do, happily.
More time spent at my jewellery bench means drastically less time at my easel, which I miss with an ache.
I’m opening my books to take on a few commissions in time for Christmas.
I wear mine on a beaded necklace with a charm connector, but as a standard, these will come on a sterling silver chain unless otherwise discussed.
Oil paint on sterling silver, set in silver with a rock crystal cabochon for longevity.
- Details:
- Material: rock crystal, oil paint and 925 Sterling Silver
- Dimensions: 20mm x 17mm (including bale)
- Chain: 46cm sterling silver belcher
- Cost: £450
Ordering process
If you would like to commission an oil-painted cabochon set in sterling silver, this is how it works:
- I take a £100 non-refundable booking deposit to secure your slot.
- We discuss the subject, share photos, etc.
- I’ll send you a mock-up for sign-off.
- Once the painting is complete, I’ll share photos and invoice the balance of £350.
Please note that shipping is not included in the price for orders outside the UK.
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