I’d like to talk about “style” and whether or not our work is perceived as having a “cohesive style”. I’ve been told that in order to create a brand and have my work be recognized or known, that I must settle upon a style and make my work more centered and cohesive.
At first, I tried to decide exactly what my style is or isn’t and it quickly became obvious that I could not limit myself or box my creativity into one style. I remember reading Lori Anderson’s blog posts about her eclectic style in both her home decoration and jewelry design. It has not held her back.
It reminds me of an acquaintance in New Orleans. Shamarr Allen is a trumpeter, singer, and songwriter who started out learning the Jazz standards. He became not just good but very, very good and the old guard Jazz musicians wanted him to stick with only Jazz. They didn’t like that he was young and wanted to branch out into Hip Hop or Rock-infused music. That led to him recording a cd titled Box Who
In? He went on to record and tour with Willie Nelson and Asleep At the Wheel and got some experience playing Country Swing. He has since said that he will record any kind of music he wants and that he might even record a Country cd. He might be joking--or not.
So, I’m going to listen to my heart and follow my ideas wherever they might wander. I may never have a body of work that is distinctly recognizable as my “style” but I will have been true to what I enjoy making. And just in case, I’ll keep putting my little tags on my jewelry. Maybe that will help people know it’s my
work!
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you can find susan a.k.a. libellula jewelry here:
blog
etsy shop -
cicada silver
etsy shop -
libellula
flickr
