Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Art Bead Scene Challenge: The Lascaux Cave Paintings...

Just barely sliding in there at the end, I just finished up my piece for the July Art Bead Scene Challenge prompt: The Lascaux Cave Paintings.

I wanted to create a piece fitting for a modern-day shaman strung up with talismans to ward away evil, bless the hunt, and add a little bit of magic to everyday life. It was important for me that the necklace have an organic and rustic feel.

I used braided leather cording, wire-wrapped wire mesh (with faceted pearls), chain, and orange Cat's Eye from Bead Trust for the base of the necklace. The focal piece is a fire-polished copper coin from my family at Green Girl Studios. I think it has an ancient vibe that works well with the piece. I also used a shibuichi toggle also from my family. The rich color compliments the earthy color scheme. The Green Girl Studios pieces aren't the only art beads; there's a ceramic tube from Keith O'Connor, ceramic rounds from Gaea Pendants, a drilled stone from Riverstone Bead Company, a lampwork pendant from Z Designs in Glass, a laser-engraved wooden bead from Lillypilly Designs, and a bronze clay component that I made myself. To accent these art beads, I used a bone skull from Anima Designs, golden coral and a stick pearl (and faceted pearls) from Talisman Associates Inc., a new Swarovski crystal Rock Pendant in Crystal Copper from Artbeads.com, Czech glass from Raven's Journey, and an ammonite from Gary Wilson. For another view of the necklace, CLICK HERE.

Above is a close-up of the copper coin. I fire-polished it to bring out the natural patinas and dull the bling factor. I had a lot of fun with this challenge and was happy that I could play along this month!

14 comments:

TesoriTrovati said...

Wow. You just whipped this up did you? You are amazing and it is all that you said and more.
Enjoy the day, Andrew!
Erin

Round Rabbit said...

Well done, Andrew! You captured the feeling and textures perfectly. :)

Jenny said...

I agree - you nailed it!
Amazing components, thanks for the links!

Jean Hutter said...

WOW Andrew you nailed this one - it really feels like the painting - great job I love it,

Bead-Mused said...

Oh Andrew, that really rocks!

Anonymous said...

oooooohhh....I like this one a lot!

peacockfairy said...

Wow Andrew! Too bad there is not another Monday in this month because I am sure you'd be feature artist! It's gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Oh Andrew I think this peice is just beautiful!!! WOW its so stunning!

Beth Hikes said...

that pendant is gorgeous! I love any kind of horned animal :)

I think you really brought this challenge to life with you choice of beads and different textures. Really inspiring...I dig how you feel a subject matter through your work.

jeweledrabbit said...

Andrew, you've outdone yourself with this one.

Heather Powers said...

such a beautiful collection from the spirit of so many talented hands. thank you for sharing your work with us and joining in the creative play.

Mary Harding said...

A wonderful piece in a chunky, organic, primitive stlye that I love. Beautiful!!

Andrew Thornton said...

Thanks everyone for your very thoughtful and encouraging comments! You all are just darling!

caves of lascaux said...

Wow, very nice necklace. whnever i am going i am surely buy this necklace, i liked it.The complex painted caves of Lascaux are located in the Dordogne region. The awe-inspiring paintings are also described as ‘the antediluvian Sistine Chapel’.1200 visitors daily visit the cave. The initial climatic situation had been re-build and maintained with the assistance of a fully-automated system. The original caves were made in 1980 called as Lascaux II.