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Born and raised in Texas, Belle's artistic undertakings began when she developed her first black and white photograph at the age of 14. At 18, she headed out west to attend Pitzer College in Claremont, Ca; she pursued photography and dabbled in other art mediums as well. A summer job at a bead store in Santa Cruz introduced her to the jewelry world. Soon afterwards she found herself selling her creations at the local farmers market in Claremont. After graduation, she found work as a photographers' assistant in Berkeley, Ca. Still inspired by adornment, she began night classes in silversmithing at the The Crucible. Two years and a few art fairs later, she attended the Revere Academy in San Francisco, afterwards taking a job in Sonoma County with Studio 311 as a goldsmith. Belle creates all of her jewelry using traditional fabrication techniques, none of the pieces are cast or reproduced in any way, making each piece a unique treasure. Belle currently lives, designs, and creates in Los Angeles, Ca.
Successfully maintaining a balance between opposing forces and energies, the yin and the yang, fosters harmony among all things. I seek to visually manifest this theory through the use of visual contrasts, black and white, empty and full, open and closed. Each form, though seemingly asymmetrical, achieves balance in a theoretical manner. So inherent is this theory in our beings, each piece succeeds in visually manifesting harmony. The embodiment of this theory serves as a reminder to the wearer that he/she must consciously maintain this delicate equilibrium in order to sustain a constant, harmonious flow of energy through life.
Associations
SNAG, Society of North American Goldsmiths
ACCI, Arts and Crafts Cooperative Inc.
JA, Jewelers of America
MASSC, Metal Arts Society of Southern California
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