About Doris: Artist, Metalsmith, NLP Life Coach

It was in my 6th grade art class that I realized I could draw. I've been fascinated with making things since then; drawing, painting, and weaving. In 1987 I began working as a studio jeweler and metalsmith and was certified as a Precious Metal Clay instructor in 1999. My one-of-a-kind pieces and limited edition series are hand fabricated and sculpted; fluid and interpretive. I approach metals with a painterly style, weaving together texture and color. Sterling and fine silver represents a blank canvas. It is where I begin building shape and form, then embellish with stones, high karat gold, and found objects. Color and texture, a bit of the unexpected, and a story that invites dialogue are all elements in my designs. Inspiration comes from nature, cultures, and people. The desert southwest is a delicate balance of contrasts and the unexpected, the extreme and fragile. The relationship of art and communication, especially as conveyed in more primitive cultures of the world, and the common threads that connect us intrigue me. My designs are a creative interpretation of these interrelationships. I have enjoyed over 25 years of nationwide gallery representation, exhibits, solo shows, served as juror for art and craft fairs, and presented at the 2006 PMC International Conference. I am published in Designer Jewelry Showcase 1995, Setting Stones in Metal Clay, by Jeanette Landenwitch, the 2009 and 2010 PMC Annuals, and authored a chapter in PMC Technic, edited by Tim McCreight. My classes integrate traditional metalsmithing and PMC, emphasizing the importance of creativity in our lives. I believe creative thinking can expand communication skills, enhance problem solving, and open the possibilities for the creation of art and the art of living. It is my goal to encourage a community that fosters imagination, curiosity, intuition and trust.