Atlanta’s Amy Rader is known for using unconventional materials, such as preserved butterflies and crushed glass, in her large, layered paintings. Artist: The Alabama native was obsessed with creating art throughout high school. Because of her interest and talent, Rader was awarded a full scholarship to the Art Institute of Atlanta. After graduating with the…
Using very fine brushes and working under a magnifier, Louisiana’s Christina Goodman creates richly detailed miniature paintings on jewelry and small artworks. Artist: Born in Italy, Goodman grew up in the Washington, DC, area.There she was exposed to a great deal of art, particularly Renaissance paintings at the National Gallery (her parents were lovers of…
Texas designer Charity Ridpath makes sculptural jewelry from clear, single-use plastics as remarkably diverse as bubblewrap and produce bags. Artist: Born in Lubbock, Ridpath grew up in Austin. As a kid, she was crafty, teaching herself embroidery, knitting and basket weaving. At Texas State University, where she earned a BFA in studio arts/metal in 2018,…
North Carolina jewelry artist Jason Janow describes his rustic yet refined designs as “precisely nature.” Artist: Growing up in Amherst, VA, Janow loved the outdoors and took an early interest in jewelry. Later, at age 30, he made a career change and enrolled in Haywood Community College in Clyde, NC, where he earned a degree in…
Tennessee jeweler and artist Brie Flora creates quirky cool pieces that are packed with personality. The artist: Born in Atlanta, but grew up in Wisconsin and then Massachusetts. Flora graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MASSART) in 2015, where she double majored in jewelry/metalsmithing and art education. After graduation, she taught intro/intermediate jewelry workshops…
Texas native Andi Terry makes sculptural jewelry and other pieces that are tied to themes in nature, including flowers and leaves. Even slugs. Artist: Born in Boston, Terry grew up in Victoria, TX. She graduated from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio with a BA degree in international relations, but was drawn to the arts.…
Richmond-based textile designer Annabel Wrigley likes her color-happy, textured quilts to have a painterly quality. Artist: Born in Australia, Wrigley grew up in Sydney. In 2001, she moved to Virginia and earned a nursing degree. After her first child was born, Wrigley began sewing — initially just for fun, making children’s clothes and quilts. It…
North Carolina jewelry artist Jason Janow describes his rustic yet refined designs as “precisely natural.” ™ Artist: Growing up in Amherst, VA, Janow loved the outdoors and took an early interest in jewelry. Later, at age 30, he made a career change and enrolled in Haywood Community College in Clyde, NC, where he earned a degree…
In Virginia, engineer-turned-artist Wiwat Kamolpornwijit uses light-weight polymer clay in his contemporary jewelry designs. Artist: Kamolpornwijit grew up in Thailand, where he attended an engineering college. He moved to the United States to attend graduate school at New Jersey Institute of Technology and worked as a postgraduate research associate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in…
A self-taught polymer clay artist, Baltimore’s Amy Blair designs playful, patterned jewelry inspired by her travels and a curiosity about different cultures. The artist: Born in Seoul, South Korea, and adopted when she was three months old, Blair grew up in Baltimore. She studied jewelry and metals for a few years at Towson University before…