Art from Nature
Many artists are inspired by nature; I know I am and I suspect budding artists from toddler hood on feel the impulse to depict natural things in their art. This site is a great example of ways an artist can use their medium (in this case, really unique sterling silver jewelry ) to depict the animals and plants around us.
When one is young, it’s easy to turn a flower into a hair decoration or a daisy chain into a belt or necklace. As we get older and our skills to create improve, budding artists often turn to the natural world for inspiration. And the inspiration doesn’t always center on the nature “everybody” thinks is beautiful. Creative silver wildlife jewelry might include bats, possums and rats. Yes, I think all animals are beautiful. If you really look, you could probably detect some beauty in a mouse or rat. Cockroaches would be more of a challenge for me, though!
It isn’t only sterling silver jewelers who have the ability to capture the beauty in our natural world of course. Artists of all types have turned to nature. Painters and sculptors for centuries have crafted beautiful work based on life outside the domestic and city setting.
And I find that a beautiful pin or pair of earrings handcrafted in 14K gold can be something incredible to wear, especially when the inspiration is of an animal or plant.
Artists going back to Egypt have made animal designs encrusted with jewels and enamel, created to draw the interest of the wealthy art connoisseur.
Now of course it doesn’t take expensive materials to make something beautiful yourself, even a unique pair of earrings or a pendant. Just go to your local crafts store for some basic supplies, make a nice space to work on and start creating. I’ve heard the expression “We can’t all be Michelangelos” but I disagree. All people are capable of creating, and who’s to say your creations can’t be as important to yourself or those around you as that great artist’s work was to people of his generation and time?
Art is an ability given by our Creator. Anyone can make use of it, tap into it and have a marvelous time while they’re doing it.