Tucson Artist interview: Rameen Ahmed

For a new subject, I thought it would be interesting to introduce a few of my Tucson Artist friends!
The following is a short Q&A with my friend Rameen Ahmed.

MBZ: Rameen and I met while working at Krikawa, a local indie jeweler here in Tucson- where we worked as goldsmiths together for a few months. We have kept in touch over the years and have been able to enjoy time together recently as roommates at the 2012 SNAG conference. I consider her to be a good friend, and a fine metalsmith- her designs are whimsical, architectural and modern.
Here is her interview:

Me and Rameen at the SNAG conference in Scottsdale last spring

***************************************************************************
MBZ:How would you describe what you do as an artist?
RA:I take what I have learned in art and architecture and give it a 'wearable form'.

MBZ: what inspires your designs?
RA: Ideas, materials, mental acrobatics with form

MBZ: how long have you been involved in this type of making? (how did you start?)
RA: 10 years. Recent recollection of a long ago question, "What do you do with dolls?" Answer, "Play with them!" Mystified and proceeded to take apart my metal belt and making doll jewelry at age 7!!

MBZ: where are you located?( email if you want to share, or city/town that you live in)
RA: Tucson, Arizona. rameen@rameenahmeddesigns.com

MBZ: do you have a website?
RA: yes, it's at  www.rameenahmeddesigns.com

MBZ: what other ways do you market your work?
RA: Trunk Shows, Art Shows, Juried Submittals, Galleries, Membership(ADC, SNAG), Online Membership (LinkedIn, FaceBook, Crafthaus), Snailmail Postcards... working on making FB work page! (MBZ aside: Wow! that's great Rameen! you have to help me get more organized!)

MBZ: do you teach? if so, where?
RA: Mostly visual arts, architecture/landscape design. Part-time at Tucson Museum of Art, elementary & middle school - local Montessori & Rameen Ahmed Designs.

MBZ: Rameen, do you have any sage advice for newcomers that you would like to share?
RA: Yes! Let your passion lead you...

MBZ: where do you envision your work going in the next year? (artistic direction)
RA: Fearless deliberation, I hope!! By that I mean pushing ideas that are/have been percolating.

MBZ: anything else you would like to share? (your choice-how we met? What you wish for as a holiday gift? any good jokes? you can even put your flickr/twitter/blog links here too)
RA: One of the best parts of working at Krikawa was connecting with you and other 'benchers'. I do appreciate the opportunity to have improved my technical skills quite a bit at the bench there.
What else, let's see... I'm terrible at punch lines! But, here's one of my favorite quotes from the Dilbert Principle, "Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep."
MBZ: I love Dilbert! Thanks Rameen! :-)
Ciao, and May the Flux be with you! - Maureen

ps- yes, it was funny to work with someone who has a name that sounds like an echo of your own...Rameen, Maureen! LOL it's all good

Drinking Ironic Tonic

Well, the universe has a sense of humor. You may know that I've been struggling with chronic pain in my left shoulder and neck for the past year and a half, and how I've recently decided to try taking a break from the studio in order to really search for a cure and give my shoulder a break...

Now, I will admit, keeping me from the studio has proven to be almost impossible- One of my great joys in life is the hours of studio time I fit into my day. (In fact you could say I fit my days into my studio time..) I have come to realize that in order to keep from getting too depressed about my condition I really NEED to be in the Satori mind- the creative process and creative spirit support me: they are as vital to my health as breathing.

So- I've been puttering around my studio, but only doing no impact (no hammers) work....I was starting to think, "I can just make things that my body will let me make" and have been putting together a group of 8 pieces, which are almost finished..(image shows one of the pieces) I made them with almost no handtools, because my shoulder won't let me do much with my left hand.

Then, very unexpectedly, I won the Orchid Raffle!

What is Orchid?
Orchid is the social media (email q+a and discussions about metalsmithing) of one of the original metalsmithing websites, " Ganoksin.com "- I have been using this site since '98, when I first discovered it (I looked up how to make granules for granulation, an ancient metalsmithing technique)
Ganoksin is an incredible resource for the metalsmithing and jewelry community- It must have close to a million pages by now.... If you have never spent a few hours looking through Ganoksin I encourage you to try it- It's packed with information and eye candy.
"Orchid" is the name of the email forum in Ganoksin. 

Every year they raise funds by having a raffle- and every year I buy one or two tickets. I really love the metalsmithing community and believe in supporting our core services. This year I bought a ticket "early", in November, when flooding was at it's worst in Bangkok, Ganoksin's base. And this year...I won!

I ended up winning the grand prize, a very generous gift certificate for Rio Grande - one of the largest sellers of tools and supplies for the metalsmithing world!

And I still am in pain, and I still cannot do hardly anything- Whatever tools I get with the winnings are going to have to take me to a no impact studio. I'm thinking electro forming and torch- No stakes for me- I cannot use them now- (not even to kill vampires)

All the tools you want and no ability to use them now?
Karma is feeding me a little Ironic Tonic.
In any case, I am truly thankful for my incredible luck. The raffle winnings are a dream of any metalsmith- I am filled with Gratitude. Thank you Ganoksin! Thank You Rio Grande!!
and Thanks to my friends and family who have been so supportive
ciao- Maureen

Arizona Designer Craftsmen and SNAG conference 2012

This is an AZ Metal Artist Call for Entries In conjunction with the Society of North American Goldsmith's (SNAG) 2012 conference in Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix Airport Museum is presenting the exhibition, Metals and More
February 24, 2012 – September 30, 2012 Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

To the Artist: Phoenix Airport Museum is seeking artworks crafted of metal or alternative materials from artists working in metalsmithing and/or jewelry. The artworks may include but are not limited to jewelry, vessels, sculptures and wall pieces. Artworks will be chosen by Phoenix Airport Museum curatorial staff based on how well the piece shows an understanding of the medium and mastery of techniques used.

Eligibility: Arizona artists working in the metal arts field that are members of Arizona Designer Craftsmen (ADC) and/or SNAG may submit a maximum of four artworks for consideration. Completed and/or proposed works may be entered. Original artworks by artists working in the metal arts field will be considered.

Submission: Submissions must be received by Friday, October 14, 2011 and include the following:
A cover letter of intent listing artworks for consideration along with descriptions, dates, dimensions and materials Artist contact information including name, address, phone number and email address Images of completed and/or proposed artworks (on a CD and printed out) Brief artist statement about the particular work

Questions may be directed to airport.museum@phoenix.gov or 602-273-2105
Images: A maximum of 12 images may be submitted – four artworks plus two details per artwork. Images must be digital; on a CD in JPEG format, 200 dpi and sized approximately 4 x 6”. Include a print out of all the images. Digital images must contain artist’s last name and title of artwork in the file name.

Transportation/Shipping: Artists are responsible for transportation of work to Phoenix Airport Museum. Artworks may be hand-delivered to the Museum’s off-site facility or shipped. Work being shipped must be packed in a re-usable shipping container. Artists are responsible for checking with their shipper regarding insurance and correct packing procedures. Phoenix Airport Museum will not be responsible for breakage because of incorrect packing or insufficient container. Artists will be notified of work that arrives in damaged condition. Cost of shipping artwork to the exhibition is the artist’s responsibility; Phoenix Airport Museum will pay for return shipping via FedEx unless otherwise indicated by the artist at time of acceptance.

Liability: Insurance will be carried by the City of Phoenix on all works while in possession of Phoenix Airport Museum.
Agreement: The artist agrees to maintain entry for the duration of the exhibition. Submission of an entry constitutes permission to photograph work for publicity and educational purposes. All entries must be of original design and personal execution. Phoenix Airport Museum reserves the right to refuse an entry if upon arrival the work is found to be poorly executed or inappropriate for public display.

October 14, 2011 November 18, 2011 February 3, 2012 February, 24 – September 30, 2012 October 1 – October 12, 2012

Calendar
All submissions must be received Artists will be notified by email of acceptance/non-acceptance Accepted works must be received Duration of exhibition Return of artwork
Send submissions to: Phoenix Airport Museum 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd.
T-3, L-3, west mezz. Phoenix, AZ 85034

Pewter Workshop

Yesterday I taught an intro to Pewter workshop for a lovely group of people up here in Seattle Washington. (I was introduced to them by a client that has become a friend- who is now hosting me at their gorgeous home on Camano island- just north of Seattle)

Me and the Northwest Creative Spirits guild

I really enjoy teaching- especially when I can delve into more detail with a subject. We spent the entire day on Pewter- and we could have gone for another few days easily- The entire group got a taste of working with pewter, and left the class excited to go try some stuff on their own. 

demonstrating simple pewter casting

I'm hoping to bring pewter to more curious metalsmiths in the future!
Do you have a class that is curious about working with pewter? I'd be happy to schedule a workshop!
ciao- Maureen BZ aka "your Pewter tutor" :-)

Taking risks

next weekend I'm one of the participants in the Society of North American Goldsmith's trunk show-
And I've been wondering how much experimental work I should be bringing to the trunk show-

I'll bring my one of a kind work, which is interesting and "sale-able" but the multi media stuff is pretty risky.....and I love it! in fact- I'm really feeling a move away from my more traditional metalsmithing work towards my more eclectic sculptural pieces.

Hey, I figure if I don't show it at the SNAG conference (which will be loaded with creative people with developed aesthetics) where would I consider showing it? It's kind of a leap- but I'm going to go for it- at the very least I'll be the girl with the crazy stuff on her table....(and I'm sure I won't be the only one)
Safe schmafe, I'm laying it on the line at the:
SNAG Member Trunk Show and Sale
at the Westin, Seattle
1900 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA
May 29th from 3PM until 5PM
in conjunction with the 2011 SNAG Conference - showroom location off main lobby

deadlines, good bad and ugly.

 Well, not really bad..

There are still a couple of days left for a few important deadlines-

one, we in the US know is that *taxes* thing (which is actually due on the 18th this year)

another thing you may know about is the deadline for VIDEO submissions to the SNAG Seattle (click here for more info)...which has had a DEADLINE EXTENSION until April 29th (Yay!) 

and finally-...--
the deadline which I know you are all working on (right?) is for Exhibitions proposals for the SNAG Phoenix 2012 Conference....."the Heat is On"
and that one is the most pressing, due on APRIL 15th!  Friday! 

****find out more about submitting proposals at the PDF link found HERE, under Phoenix conference**** please submit proposals! I'd love to have Metalsmiths Unite represent in Phoenix- my home state!!

(**ps, full disclosure, I'm on the exhibitions committee for the Phoenix conference)

check out the fabulous brand spanking new logo for SNAG Phoenix!

isn't that a super cool logo? or, is it Hot?

:-) ciao- Maureen

Alternative Materials

red and green LIL DOTTIES2
Originally uploaded by cosmosmoonjewelry

You know, with metals prices being what they are I have been experimenting with alternative materials- for one, they keep my prices affordable - (I don't believe that only wealthy people should have access to handmade craft) and also, I get to freely explore ideas without getting too hung up on the price of materials.

One of the things I started trying last spring was aluminum. I've been having a lot of fun with these pieces- roller printing (it's really squishy!) and stamping is incredibly satisfying- the tools act as if they were on steroids! then- blaspheme! I paint them.

oooh, I know, next thing you know I'll be stripped of my credentials as a professional metalsmith!
well, it's been fun while it lasted! :-) don't think I'm going to stop now!

strap bracelet secrets

strap bracelet fall 094
Originally uploaded by cosmosmoonjewelry

I love making these pieces- they are a collection of diverse components made with differing techniques- I work on them in a peculiar way...

first of all, the shapes are almost always soft organic forms- the idea came from looking at stone walls and how they are constructed...

then I play with different techniques...roller printing, chasing, repousse, filigree, cloisonne, wax carving, inlay, mokume, hollow construction, etching, wire work...I tell people that I "binge on techniques" I play with them until I've scratched the itch of curiosity in my mind.

After I have completed and am satisfied with the quantity of components I sit down and compose a line of approximately 10-12 components, thinking about the way they will wrap around the wrist.

I have made a belt buckle by carving it in hard wax and then taking a mold of it so that I can produce it when I need it- I have a casting company make my buckles for me- but they are my own design, the original made by my hands, and cast exclusively by my order for my work only.

The buckle is set on the leather strap by a tube rivet (my design also)
and the components are then "strung" on the bracelet and locked in place.

By using this process of sampling techniques and composing after the pieces are complete I keep my work fresh and interesting- and, more important- UNIQUE! each bracelet therefore is one of a kind - I could make them all the same, but what's the fun in that?!!

I'm hoping to find some time this month to put together a few more bracelets- they do take a long time to complete, so this may be a challenge! Currently this piece is the only bracelet I have in stock- I will be happy to take special orders, and holiday requests. (send your honey this link so they can get a gift giving hint)

OK- I'm off to the studio- metals await! Have a great week- stay tuned, and please send me comments! (I love to read your responses!)
ciao!- Maureen BZ

relic of the future1

relic of the future1
Originally uploaded by cosmosmoonjewelry

sometimes you stumble upon something that just seems right.........
in my continuing research into pewter techniques I have created my new line, "Relics of the Future!"
these are cast fragments of larger designs; they echo the experimentation of my work and also remind me to work freely.
the piece in this photo here has now been sold to a gallery- I will be listing new fragments soon on my etsy shop- so stay tuned!
Have a great week everyone- I'm so happy that it is the last day of summer! that means in a month or so it will cool down to below 90 here in southern AZ!

Metalsmithing's New look

Have you seen SNAG's  new Metalsmith Magazine format?      

(if you are asking what SNAG is click here)

it has been re-designed , with new content and easier to read typeface. 
 
I must say, I have been quite vocally critical in the past of the magazine, 
but I am honestly happy with the new look and content!
 
why the change of heart? (you may ask.....)
 
I've done a lot of thinking on this subject for a while. 
I do have a great interest in the future of SNAG and metalsmithing, 
so the magazine’s content always has a deep impact on me. (such a sensitive artist...)
 
I had felt for a while that “Metalsmith” was really the voice of the organization, 
so when I saw last year’s Exhibition in Print (EIP) I was concerned that SNAG was lost to me, 
and I pondered if it was relevant to me, or many of my peers.
 

 
coming to a conclusive opinion on the Exhibition in Print was a struggle for me, because I also have a deep appreciation for the artistic process.
 I know the import of pushing the envelope, and furthermore I believe that part of pushing the envelope usually means creating a visceral reaction. 
It's just the nature of the beast. I think that last year’s EIP succeeded in that aspect. (Laughing a bit while I type that).
 

 
I think I just got jangled more than anything, (and I'm sorry if my response was too harsh) 
which I believe is what many of the piece’s that were displayed were meant to do. 
So, upon reflection, I now think that the issue was successful, even if I didn’t particularly relish it’s effect.
 

 
ok, so about the new Metalsmith Format,  I feel I must share my analogy:
 

 
Before the re-design, I would read Metalsmith like I was taking a dose of medicine: 
 good for me, perhaps, but still sometimes difficult to take.
 

 
Now, the new format feels like a vitamin:
desired tool to keep myself healthy, proactive (and yes, sometimes a little hard to take as well)
 

 
So, with a re-designed Magazine, a bright and Shiny new Orchid forum design (looks GREAT!) 
and a few hundred hours in the studio, what gorgeous creations will you bring to the table? 
I don’t know about you, but I am excited by our possibilities......
 

 
Happy ‘Smithing!
 
Maureen Brusa Zappellini
 
http://cosmosmoon.etsy.com