Pamela Freese

Retirement has provided me with the opportunity refocus on creating art by returning to my college interest in metalsmithing. I developed my  skills by taking weekly metalsmithing classes with a member of the Chatham Artists Guild for close to a decade as well as enameling workshops where I learned cloisonne` and champleve’. Couillard Cloisonne’ is a metalsmithing art studio where I create sculptural jewelry inspired by nature, wild life and other rural themes in North Carolina. These inspirations are often combined with numerous artistic styles from various cultures to produce unique wearable art that is vibrant and distinct. Metalsmithing enables me to create shape and texture through physical, chemical and temperature manipulation, yet it can be restrictive when it comes to color. Incorporating enamel adds an element of light and color enabling me additional freedom to create unique works.  Each enamel piece is kiln-fired over a dozen times throughout the creation process.  Keum-boo, an ancient Korean gilding technique, is also used to bond 24-karat gold to silver.