Kariann Price
Artist Statement
"I have a fascination for conveying life's images and beauty through the use of materials I find along the shoreline. My sculpture-to-wear is jewelry that is a free-form constellation of sea glass, sea pebbles, semi-precious wire & gems, sculpted stained glass, crystals and vintage objects. My pieces are identifiably eclectic art-to-wear.
In my sculptures, I combine nature's fallen gems, typically driftwood, with stained glass. These elements are abundant and, combined, open a portal for creative imagination & constructive innovation.
My aim is to uphold the aesthetic nature of art, while being innovative with the use of both recycled man-made & natural elements, and ultimately promote the appreciation of our inner recycling that is inherent to the human psyche. There is much potential in what was once discarded, both at our feet & within our hearts. I have found that the creative process cannot be separated from this kind of awareness and is a key element to enriching our lives. While our own histories inform us and lead us to challenges that make us more aware and responsible, so do nature’s remnants that lay at our feet.”
Fondly, Kariann Price
Inspiration from atop Mount Olympus
Fellow artist, Patricia Coombs Fox, has reacted to Kariann’s art jewelry, "[her piece entitled] 'Waves' is reminiscent of art during the Byzantine era […] [Kariann‘s] work is like having the Renaissance come back.
Subject: Treasure Hunts, Art Jewelry and an Astrologer’s Prediction
March 2, 2006 For Immediate Release
Deep River, CT -- When living in Maine, Kariann learned from a Hindu astrologer that her success would happen in her 40's. The question was: what avenue of her life would bring on that change? At the time, she was working as a home health nurse with an antiques/ collectibles business on the side.
While growing up in the South, she utilized her classical piano training to garner the title of Miss Virginia Beach. "Yes, that was a 'zillion' years ago," she states, and before that she twirled fire baton as her high school football half-time feature performer.
As a mother of two young daughters, her creative energy did not abate. She parlayed her music skills into song-writing and composing for advertising. One family project included her husband, Neil, who wrote a song "Living in the 1990's" and her then five year old daughter, Diana, who sang the feature song "Love In Motion & I Was Born" written by Kariann for a lullaby cassette she produced.
Now, Kariann finds herself on a different creative path. While in a corporate job, she found relief through treasure hunts on beaches & at estate sales. Those treasures were what brought her to her now very busy life of creating art jewelry and sculptures, which have been featured in boutiques and art galleries throughout Maine and Connecticut.
Clients say that her art jewelry often reminds them of their own treasure hunts by the sea. It's no wonder, since Kariann incorporates sea glass and sea pebbles into her pieces. She states, "there's a definite connection with nature that brings both my clients and myself a certain kind of solace and reward when handling and wearing my jewelry."
Kariann’s pieces are quite recognizable in that the design is created by the wire wrap around various stones, sea glass, precious and semi-precious gems, and vintage objects. She purposefully "sculpts" each piece with attention to the balance of materials, light and air. Tiny pockets of negative space between the objects give each piece an air of transparency and whimsy.
Combining the various treasures into art jewelry is an organic process for the artist who states, "the objects tell me which direction to take with the wire". After touring Kariann's Deep River Rocks Studio & Gallery, Jay Pizzaro stated that "there is a free form, yet highly structured quality to [her] art ." And when hung from Kariann's hand-woven chains they become sculpture-to-wear. Art galleries appreciate her jewelry as art and several are exhibiting her collections alongside the traditional oil paintings and sculpture.
Her most popular in the collection is called the "Framed Mosaic" Necklace. The pendants are like a framed piece of art that is hung from a chain which Kariann hand-weaves and twists to complement and finish each piece. She says that, although it would be quicker and easier to solder or glue the pieces together, she prefers the beauty that wire wrapping each stone imparts. Indeed, each piece is one-of-a-kind and while they may look fragile, Kariann assures that each piece can survive any unexpected falls to the dressing room floor.
Along with creating art jewelry that is both beautiful and durable, Kariann emphasizes the importance of the customer being number one. “I’ve had clients who’ve changed their minds many times before receiving their custom jewelry. That’s all right”, she states, “I’m not happy unless the client is completely in love with their piece”.
She has found a fan in Claudine Guerrero who always has a set of Kariann's art jewelry on order and another one in mind. Claudine shares, "I'm such a big fan of Kariann's work [...] I've always been fascinated with artistic jewelry as opposed to the more expensive, 'fine' jewelry, as they call it [...] her pieces will never become outdated. I plan on giving them to my children." Other repeat customers can be found crossing college campuses, holding corporate web conferences, and playing Bridge with friends while sharing stories about their grandkids.
Art aficionados stand before Kariann’s collections in the art galleries who exhibit and sell her work, often sharing their interpretation. Patricia Coombs Fox, a fellow artist, reacting to Kariann's art jewelry, shared that a piece entitled "Waves" "is reminiscent of art during the Byzantine era […] [Her] work is like having the Renaissance come back again".
These days, Kariann is very mindful of the astrologer's prediction. She states, "living in this part of Connecticut has given me a warm and welcome connection to the artist community here. I'm intrigued by the folks drawn to my art; they often have lovely stories to share about what they are reminded of. If I get to share in the beauty of someone else's life through my art, then the rewards are immeasurable. It gives me a chance to share something of myself and nature at the same time".
Currently, Kariann's collections can be viewed and purchased at her boutique, Kariann Price Designs in Deep River, CT, The Gallery at Riverside Press in Essex, CT, as well as her on-line gallery: www.Kariannprice.com. She can be reached at her Art Jewelry boutique, Kariann Price Designs and at 207-450-0939. Hours: Tues - Fri 11 - 5 pm, Sat 12 -5 pm.
Kariann Price Designs
169 B Main Street
Deep River, CT 06417
Cell: 207-450-0939
Photos of the artist, her work and the artist at work are available upon request. Kariann is available for interviews and studio, gallery tours.
