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Sunday 8 July 2012

Art Bead Scene Challenge for July - Necklace

Art Bead Scene's monthly challenge for July 2012. How could I not be inspired by this painting by Picasso? I just fell for it. Couldn't resist it. Two Acrobats with a Dog by Pablo Picasso, painted in 1905. I am a big fan of Picasso just in general. In this painting what stands out for me is firstly the checkered pattern on the clothes, and then just the general color scheme of blues and beiges with a few daubs of yellow. I also get this matte dryness feeling texture wise. Coming I guess from both the actual materials used, gouache on what looks like card/paper, but also from the painting's motif. It looks like they are standing in a sort of desert like landscape just outside a village in the Spanish countryside. Mid day. Dry dry air. Dry soil.



So, roaming around my stash I found this large rectangular button by Tracee Dock of Classic Elements. It's been there for a good while, being absolutely lovely and all, but I have just not known what I would do with it. So perfect for this project isn't it! Starting there I wanted to add a fabric or textile element to my piece, to mimic the checkered pattern on the boy's clothes. So I started playing around with some waxed cotton cord. Not yet knowing what kind of piece I would have in the end. A bracelet, or a necklace?

Yes, I could have different colors going through the holes of the button! And then YES! I could braid the cords so that the button would become a pendant hanging from the braids. What a revelation that was for me. I love how the braiding mimics the checkered pattern in the fabric. It worked out so well also, because I was using three colors of cord in the first place. Now I could just let them continue into the two braided sections.





I have never used braids in my own jewelry before. But I just love Erin Siegel's creations when she does it. I'm such a fan of her work in general! So thank you for the inspiration Erin! :-)

Because I only had that length of the yellow cord, but still wanted the necklace to be a bit longer I added some chain around the neck. A nice brass chain with some rhombic links in there too. A swirly brass hook from Vintaj makes the clasp.

I see this necklace being worn with white summery clothes in "airy" cotton. What I would wear in a Spanish hot and dry countryside landscape :-).

Check out the flickr page for Art Bead Scene to see some more jewelry pieces inspired by this painting. There will be more of them turning up until the end of the month.

All my best,
Malin

12 comments:

Heidi Post said...

That button is perfect! What a fun piece - and you even got to include the diamond pattern with the chain :) Well done.

Regina said...

What a perfect interpretation of the painting. Love it.

aneri_masi said...

Love the braiding!

Elly Snare said...

Beautiful work that expresses you and the painting in harmony. Brilliant!

Elly

Anindita Basu said...

I love the way you integrated the braided cords to bring the colors...a nice interpretation of the painting in your whole work. Inspiring.

Erin Siegel said...

Great necklace! I'm so thrilled to hear I may have inspired you to try the braiding. Cording is a wonderful way to bring in color and I love what you did here. Creative use of the art button as a pendant, too!

aneri_masi said...

Hey Malin, I have something for you here: http://sadafulee.blogspot.com/2012/07/i-got-me-award.html

Unknown said...

Hi Marlin, I love the way you've interpreted this painting (one of my favourite Picasso paintings), the coloured wax cord is just perfect and so is the button.
Desiree Malan
x

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

What a perfect interpretation! This is beautiful!

Rebecca said...

I just love the finish on that button! You're right, it is totally perfect for the arid atmosphere in Picasso's painting.

A Polymer Penchant said...

Umhm, that matte chalkiness, you nailed it. I love that you kept the cording completely simple and crisp letting the pattern stand alone. Perfect

Tracee Dock - The Classic Bead said...

I need to send you something new~!