Artist Associates
Michael Dean and Carole Baldock are pleased to present the work of emerging young artists within the jewellery gallery at Michael Dean Jewellery. Among the outstanding artists in the Michael Dean Collection, is Grace Lee, an Emily Carr graduate and creator of fine ceramic jewellery, a fashion Michael Dean believes is on the cutting edge of jewellery design.
Grace Lee
eikcam design is a Vancouver based arts studio created by artist/designer, Grace Lee. She works in clay to create fine ceramic jewellery and also an antiqued, folk tableware collection.
In 1998, Grace developed a little jewelry collection and continued to pursue ceramic and design studies at Emily Carr. After completing an Industrial Design degree from Emily Carr in 2001, she actively maintained her jewelry line while working as a visual stylist. Soon thereafter, Grace fell into a demanding role of art direction for a local home decor distributor. While traveling around the world for inspiration, she designed tableware and housewares for national and international retailers. Her last business trip to the city of light, Paris, inspired Grace to return to her love of ceramics, vintage photography and all things handmade. She now works in her tiny, tiny studio creating new ceramic pieces for her jewelry line and tableware collection. In spare moments of leisure, Grace continues to explore the west coast through the lens of a vintage camera.
Process:
My work reflects my childhood memories of growing up near tall trees and being near the ocean. Fresh foliage, coastal hues and natural elements have organically defined the aesthetic of my work. I inspire to evolve through deep reflections of my surroundings and my traditional roots by creating functional pieces that lend a sense of age and naturalness. Using clay in my jewellery has been a natural process of osmosis. My career work has revolved around clay as a medium and I've been designing jewellery for over 12 years. The marriage of these two processes organically formed the eikcam jewellery collection.
eikcam design is a Vancouver based arts studio created by artist/designer, Grace Lee. She works in clay to create fine ceramic jewellery and also an antiqued, folk tableware collection.
In 1998, Grace developed a little jewelry collection and continued to pursue ceramic and design studies at Emily Carr. After completing an Industrial Design degree from Emily Carr in 2001, she actively maintained her jewelry line while working as a visual stylist. Soon thereafter, Grace fell into a demanding role of art direction for a local home decor distributor. While traveling around the world for inspiration, she designed tableware and housewares for national and international retailers. Her last business trip to the city of light, Paris, inspired Grace to return to her love of ceramics, vintage photography and all things handmade. She now works in her tiny, tiny studio creating new ceramic pieces for her jewelry line and tableware collection. In spare moments of leisure, Grace continues to explore the west coast through the lens of a vintage camera.
Process:
My work reflects my childhood memories of growing up near tall trees and being near the ocean. Fresh foliage, coastal hues and natural elements have organically defined the aesthetic of my work. I inspire to evolve through deep reflections of my surroundings and my traditional roots by creating functional pieces that lend a sense of age and naturalness. Using clay in my jewellery has been a natural process of osmosis. My career work has revolved around clay as a medium and I've been designing jewellery for over 12 years. The marriage of these two processes organically formed the eikcam jewellery collection.
Michael Dean Jewellery is also pleased to showcase these artists and their exquisite work:
Janis Kerman Design
Janis Kerman Design is a jewellery design and manufacturing studio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Established in 1980, Janis Kerman is known for her unique, limited edition fine art jewellery in platinum, 18KT and sterling silver with precious and semi-precious stones, niobium and other media. Ms Kerman is noted for her signature “mismatched” earrings in 18KT, precious and semi-precious stones. Jewellery by Janis Kerman is recognized for its extraordinary interpretation and combination of colors and geometric shapes and sizes.
Janis Kerman Design is a jewellery design and manufacturing studio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Established in 1980, Janis Kerman is known for her unique, limited edition fine art jewellery in platinum, 18KT and sterling silver with precious and semi-precious stones, niobium and other media. Ms Kerman is noted for her signature “mismatched” earrings in 18KT, precious and semi-precious stones. Jewellery by Janis Kerman is recognized for its extraordinary interpretation and combination of colors and geometric shapes and sizes.
Janis Kerman
Jessie Turner
I specialize in contemporary forms in silver and gold. All worn objects can have meaning that fulfills lives, creating balance within the individual, the community and the natural world.
I hope to bring this alive by exploring traditional and contemporary ideas of design. I create unique jewellery and art, encouraging people’s individuality and connection to truth, nature and beauty.
I specialize in contemporary forms in silver and gold. All worn objects can have meaning that fulfills lives, creating balance within the individual, the community and the natural world.
I hope to bring this alive by exploring traditional and contemporary ideas of design. I create unique jewellery and art, encouraging people’s individuality and connection to truth, nature and beauty.
Jessie Turner
John Blair
An accomplished jeweller and metal smith, John Blair’s artwork is influenced by ancient and modern ornamentation. He combines precious metals with unique hand–chosen gemstones to create timeless jewellery and art objects. Since completing a 4-year metal arts program at the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD) in 1976, Blair has engaged in freelance work, exhibition and consignment sales in contemporary art/craft galleries. This artist's work can be found in collections worldwide. He was the recipient of an ACAD Alumni award of excellence in 2002.
An accomplished jeweller and metal smith, John Blair’s artwork is influenced by ancient and modern ornamentation. He combines precious metals with unique hand–chosen gemstones to create timeless jewellery and art objects. Since completing a 4-year metal arts program at the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD) in 1976, Blair has engaged in freelance work, exhibition and consignment sales in contemporary art/craft galleries. This artist's work can be found in collections worldwide. He was the recipient of an ACAD Alumni award of excellence in 2002.
John Blair
Mikel Lefler
Taking cues from legendary artist Gustav Klimt's "Golden phase", Mikel incorporates 23K gold and silver leaf into the collection while staying true to her love of insects: each piece includes pieces of moth or butterfly wings set with resin in sterling silver frames. All wings used come from eco friendly sources. Each piece is a labour of love for Mikel, and truly an original work of art.
“Everything that I offer in my shop is handmade in my studio at home in Vancouver, B.C. I came to jewellery making via an odd route - a biology degree from Simon Fraser University. It was this that sparked my interest in using insects in my art. I love insects and their beautiful colours, shapes and patterns. I use only non-endangered and non-threatened species and buy from reputable suppliers. I studied jewellery making with a local jeweller and learned how to work with resins from my father. I absolutely love my job and am constantly inspired to create.”
Taking cues from legendary artist Gustav Klimt's "Golden phase", Mikel incorporates 23K gold and silver leaf into the collection while staying true to her love of insects: each piece includes pieces of moth or butterfly wings set with resin in sterling silver frames. All wings used come from eco friendly sources. Each piece is a labour of love for Mikel, and truly an original work of art.
“Everything that I offer in my shop is handmade in my studio at home in Vancouver, B.C. I came to jewellery making via an odd route - a biology degree from Simon Fraser University. It was this that sparked my interest in using insects in my art. I love insects and their beautiful colours, shapes and patterns. I use only non-endangered and non-threatened species and buy from reputable suppliers. I studied jewellery making with a local jeweller and learned how to work with resins from my father. I absolutely love my job and am constantly inspired to create.”
Mikel Lefler
Veronica Stewart
Colourful, decorative and distinct.
“I work exclusively with silver, wire and semi-precious stones. My current body of work explores the fusion of several techniques, which I have been refining since 2003. Crocheted and knitted fine wire is combined with shell, PMC silver or sometimes used alone in sculptural form, to create cuff bracelets, necklaces, collars and rings which I then weave with gemstones, pearls and crystals. I have a life-long knowledge of knitting and crochet which gives an endless supply of inspiration for stitches as well as for pattern and colour. This medium holds seemingly unlimited possibilities. Since 2006 I have been exploring more textural and sculptural directions, as the crocheted wire allows for strength and form while still maintaining a delicate beauty.”
Colourful, decorative and distinct.
“I work exclusively with silver, wire and semi-precious stones. My current body of work explores the fusion of several techniques, which I have been refining since 2003. Crocheted and knitted fine wire is combined with shell, PMC silver or sometimes used alone in sculptural form, to create cuff bracelets, necklaces, collars and rings which I then weave with gemstones, pearls and crystals. I have a life-long knowledge of knitting and crochet which gives an endless supply of inspiration for stitches as well as for pattern and colour. This medium holds seemingly unlimited possibilities. Since 2006 I have been exploring more textural and sculptural directions, as the crocheted wire allows for strength and form while still maintaining a delicate beauty.”
Veronica Stewart
Michael Dean Jewellery also carry the work of Karma Metal, Gerry Bamforth, Benée Rubin, Carolyn Di Pasquale and Kevin Cremin.