Show and Tell

Tree of Life

I started this blog to show my art work, as my own online gallery, easier to "hang" than a website. Talking about my work is another thing altogether......I don't like to. In many ways I think it is self-explanatory. I consider myself an artist/craftsman. I work with materials which are considered "craft" as opposed to "fine art". I like to make things. I like to make beautiful things for people to enjoy. Celebration and contemplation are the themes that run through my work - celebration of the joys of life in God's created universe and contemplation of the mystery of His revelation in Christ. I fell in love with the icons and symbols of the Church and scripture years ago. With that inspiration I create works meant for personal, quiet contemplation. I love it when someone gets pleasure wearing a piece of jewelry that I have created.

Exploring the techniques of bead work and metal work is what I am interested in now. As I go along with this blog I will be posting some of the older work that I have created and then I will post new pieces as I finish them.

I hope you enjoy the show.

What I did last winter

When we are in Sanibel, Florida one of my very favorite places to be is BigArts (Barrier Island Group) Art Center. For several years I have taken metalsmithing classes with a wonderful jeweler, Pilar Baker. Here are a few pieces I have made in her workshops. I especially love creating jewelry with cold connections (riveting as opposed to soldering) and fold forming. (see bracelet and necklace above). 

Mermaids



Much of my work is inspired by scripture and the symbols of the church, but now and then a new subject will intrigue me. I love the sea, the beach, the shells and the lore of the sea and when I am in Florida in the winter these themes inspire me. I love to shell and include seashells in some of my work. My mermaids have won blue ribbons at the Sanibel Shell Show which I enter every year.



Under the Sea

White Mermaid

Mermaid Mirror

Mermaid Neckpiece

Mermaid's Wedding Necklace




 





 






More Icons

Here a few more beaded icons from the Madonna and Child Series

Virgin and Christ Adoring

Mother of God Petrovskaya

Virgin of Tenderness

Nativity in Black and White

OK, enough talk

My name is Nancy Goes and I am currently preparing 30 pieces of bead embroideries for a solo exhibition in the Marian Library at the University of Dayton in Dayton Ohio this September. I have been talking about starting a blog for a long time and decided that this was as good a time as any to begin. So.....welcome to my blog.

I have worked in many media in my life from drawing and painting to bookarts, fiber arts (embroidery, macrame, basketry, papermaking), photography, metal and beaded jewelry and bead embroidery.  The first pieces I will be posting are in an ongoing a series of beaded icons which I began around 2000.

My first "Madonna and Child" currently in a CIVA traveling show. And also selected for a Dec. issue of Christian Century Magazine.

                             My latest icon "Ethiopian 15-16 Century"

These icons are embroidered with needle and thread, one bead at a time, on fabric which has been mounted on gold leafed wood panels.