Jenne Rayburn
"For me, the process of creation, from researching and brainstorming to sketching and modeling, selecting materials and fabricating, is inspiring. As someone who studied architecture, I am really committed to Process with a big ‘P’—the preparation, the quick sketches, color studies, testing, discarded ideas, experimenting, and exploring. Contrary to what people may think, the process of making art does not involve a strike of lightning that immediately leads straight to a beautiful, sellable, artwork. It involves a lot of trial and error, or better put—research and development: mapping out the design, testing ideas, making mistakes and learning from them, choosing which mistakes are innovations, slowly progressing, and ultimately finding insight because of all the hard work and time you have put into it. All this is behind the scenes, and sometimes not realized or appreciated by the public—but it is so important to understand how art is created."
Jenne Rayburn is a Boston-based goldsmith and enamelist. Having studied architecture, she sees herself as both an artist and designer, however it's through the lens of design that she views and understands the world. She finds the process of researching, sketching, selecting materials, and fabricating inspiring. Curiosity, problem solving, and her search for identity motivates her to continually reimagine what is possible. Jenne loves to travel, to meet people and hear their stories. She is passionate about the connection she feels to past civilizations when using ancient and revered enameling and metalworking techniques. Intrigued by the boundary between civilization and wildness, she is drawn to mythology and folklore and the corresponding symbols, characters, and stories that exist in every culture. They suggest to her the profound roots of our collective effort to come to terms with the world that surrounds us and our place in it.
The incredible range of vibrant colors is what drew Jenne to enamel. She was excited by the ability to create intricate textures and layers with luminous depth and seductive reflections. The luminosity of glass has a mystical quality she loves. Jenne’s designs combine graphic elements with a painterly style, using hand-drawn illustrations with saturated and contrasting color. Each distinct layer is applied and fired in a kiln. Powdered glass is sifted, painted, stenciled, sponged, or inlaid onto metal. The fused glass design is built up with multiple firings in an electric kiln between 1400 -1500 degrees. She scratches or grinds down to reveal the color below, then draws glyphs or adda highlights in gold. By combining drawing and painting with texturing and patterning, Jenne creates depth and luminosity that reveals different aspects of color and metal as pieces move. She also uses pencils, Limoges paints, mason stains, and decals to achieve her curiously evocative work.
Jenne studied art, interior design, and architecture at the University of Washington, Washington State University, and the University of Massachusetts. She graduated with a MS from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a BA from the University of Washington, Seattle. Jenne has attended workshops at Metalwerx and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts.
Jenne Rayburn is a Boston-based goldsmith and enamelist. Having studied architecture, she sees herself as both an artist and designer, however it's through the lens of design that she views and understands the world. She finds the process of researching, sketching, selecting materials, and fabricating inspiring. Curiosity, problem solving, and her search for identity motivates her to continually reimagine what is possible. Jenne loves to travel, to meet people and hear their stories. She is passionate about the connection she feels to past civilizations when using ancient and revered enameling and metalworking techniques. Intrigued by the boundary between civilization and wildness, she is drawn to mythology and folklore and the corresponding symbols, characters, and stories that exist in every culture. They suggest to her the profound roots of our collective effort to come to terms with the world that surrounds us and our place in it.
The incredible range of vibrant colors is what drew Jenne to enamel. She was excited by the ability to create intricate textures and layers with luminous depth and seductive reflections. The luminosity of glass has a mystical quality she loves. Jenne’s designs combine graphic elements with a painterly style, using hand-drawn illustrations with saturated and contrasting color. Each distinct layer is applied and fired in a kiln. Powdered glass is sifted, painted, stenciled, sponged, or inlaid onto metal. The fused glass design is built up with multiple firings in an electric kiln between 1400 -1500 degrees. She scratches or grinds down to reveal the color below, then draws glyphs or adda highlights in gold. By combining drawing and painting with texturing and patterning, Jenne creates depth and luminosity that reveals different aspects of color and metal as pieces move. She also uses pencils, Limoges paints, mason stains, and decals to achieve her curiously evocative work.
Jenne studied art, interior design, and architecture at the University of Washington, Washington State University, and the University of Massachusetts. She graduated with a MS from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a BA from the University of Washington, Seattle. Jenne has attended workshops at Metalwerx and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts.
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