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Blue Dragonfly Studio
| Blue Dragonfly Studio | PO Box 250 | Penrose, NC 28766 | Copyright © 2009 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.
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. Thru the process of
becoming a Certified Precious Metal Clay Artisan (Level I, II, and III)
this love increased. 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
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.
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. Thru the process of
becoming a Certified Precious Metal Clay Artisan (Level I, II, and III)
this love increased. 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
Handcrafted Jewelry by Adrienne Casteen
