Diane Petersen

"In 1990 I began working with Metals.  Of all the different mediums I've worked with Metal and Stone have been the most fascinating.  There's a powerful energy in Stones and Metals and I love the idea that what I make with these two mediums will be around for thousands of years!

I enjoy designing neckpieces and bracelets the most because they offer a large canvas to work with.   Metal reticulation is my texture of choice.  I am enthralled with the process and the fact that each piece of reticulated metal is as unique as a finger print is perfect for my one of a kind jewelry pieces.  Color is brought into my work by mixing metals, pairing stones, pearls and beads.

I'm the outdoorsy type and my work is often inspired by nature.  The piece Ventana Topal is a good example of one such inspiration.  The idea for the piece came while hiking in the Ventana Wilderness area of the Big Sur Coastline.  At sunset from the top of Mt. Pico Blanco the view spans miles of rugged golden mountains and an ocean of liquid silver.  For my interpretation of this memorable view I used the reticulation process to texture the nine gold and silver pieces.  Ventana is Spanish for window so each of the reticulated pieces were set into window of fine silver.  Opals were used to represent the colors of the sunset."

Diane along with seven other  artists formed the Monterey Bay Metal Arts Guild in the early 90s.

Ventana Topal

Links to see.....  Bracelets      Necklaces     Earrings     Cuff Links & Tie Tacks

Diane's work is featured in the beautiful book Art Jewelry Today 2 by Schiffer Publishing 

my second Art form is...TILE

       Live with artwork as unique as you are