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Blue Dragonfly Studio
Handcrafted Fine Silver Jewelry by Adrienne Casteen
| Blue Dragonfly Studio | PO Box 250 | Penrose, NC 28766 | Copyright © 2007 Blue Dragonfly Studio All Rights Reserved |
Artist Statement
You could say that Nature's beauty has always been a catalyst for my
creativity thru childhood until my present day life. Countless days spent
exploring the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay enjoying the sound, smell
and beauty of the water carried me through my youth.
Fortunate enough to have a family filled with fine craftsmen, they embodied
the idea that anything you could imagine could be brought to life. They
encouraged the creative being, and this has truly been an incredible impact to
me.
With this foundation I found myself drawn to the great artists and craftsmen
of history throughout the world. During the pursuit of those interests I
received my degree in Art History nd Archaeology from the University of
Maryland. After graduation life took me in a different direction. Working in
the retail and hospitality world for many years, art was never far from my mind
nor my everyday life. My art became my escape from day to day stresses and
an avenue of peace for me.
creativity thru childhood until my present day life. Countless days spent
exploring the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay enjoying the sound, smell
and beauty of the water carried me through my youth.
Fortunate enough to have a family filled with fine craftsmen, they embodied
the idea that anything you could imagine could be brought to life. They
encouraged the creative being, and this has truly been an incredible impact to
me.
With this foundation I found myself drawn to the great artists and craftsmen
of history throughout the world. During the pursuit of those interests I
received my degree in Art History nd Archaeology from the University of
Maryland. After graduation life took me in a different direction. Working in
the retail and hospitality world for many years, art was never far from my mind
nor my everyday life. My art became my escape from day to day stresses and
an avenue of peace for me.
With time not only did my career world widen, but also my geographical world. Soon I married and moved
away from all that was familiar, and was able to explore other living environments. Enjoying the great
valleys and mountain vistas of Pennsylvania and the clear warm waters and spectacular sunsets of the
Southwest Florida Gulf Coast these new locations were an incredible experience. After the birth of
our son, my husband and I decided to start a new chapter of our lives in the North Carolina Mountains
outside of Asheville. Now the seasons have returned and living surrounded by National Forest, majestic
mountains and countless waterfalls... nature continues to nurture my creativity.
Being a very tactile oriented person, clay has always been a medium that has captivated my attention and
with my discovery of Metal Clay it was fate I would fall in love with its versatility. It was said to me once,
"Life is the sum total of its experiences" and I believe my work is a true reflection of that. The art I create
is directly linked to the influences I have had throughout my life and like my life is continually evolving. I
hope that others can enjoy the journey along with me as I expand my horizons. Metal Clay has led itself
to me as a new medium for wearable expressions of possibilities and now as a stay at home Mom or
"domestic engineer" as I fondly call myself, I am finally able to start a career doing what I love... creating
tangible expressions of my imagination.
In a time when technology soars one must remember that it was individuals thinking outside the proverbial
box that created that technology, yes created through their own imagination an art in it's own right.
Webster defines art as, "the conscious use of skill and creative imagination", I hope that great artists and
craftsmen continue to encourage the expansion of the human mind and we never forget to nurture our
talent.
-Adrienne Casteen
away from all that was familiar, and was able to explore other living environments. Enjoying the great
valleys and mountain vistas of Pennsylvania and the clear warm waters and spectacular sunsets of the
Southwest Florida Gulf Coast these new locations were an incredible experience. After the birth of
our son, my husband and I decided to start a new chapter of our lives in the North Carolina Mountains
outside of Asheville. Now the seasons have returned and living surrounded by National Forest, majestic
mountains and countless waterfalls... nature continues to nurture my creativity.
Being a very tactile oriented person, clay has always been a medium that has captivated my attention and
with my discovery of Metal Clay it was fate I would fall in love with its versatility. It was said to me once,
"Life is the sum total of its experiences" and I believe my work is a true reflection of that. The art I create
is directly linked to the influences I have had throughout my life and like my life is continually evolving. I
hope that others can enjoy the journey along with me as I expand my horizons. Metal Clay has led itself
to me as a new medium for wearable expressions of possibilities and now as a stay at home Mom or
"domestic engineer" as I fondly call myself, I am finally able to start a career doing what I love... creating
tangible expressions of my imagination.
In a time when technology soars one must remember that it was individuals thinking outside the proverbial
box that created that technology, yes created through their own imagination an art in it's own right.
Webster defines art as, "the conscious use of skill and creative imagination", I hope that great artists and
craftsmen continue to encourage the expansion of the human mind and we never forget to nurture our
talent.
-Adrienne Casteen
