Kristen Farrell & the Power of Real
.
There’s something about a person who loves to read that leaves me feeling immediately and intensely connected with them. I find that those who truly love books – who travel through them to places distant and remote – share a sense of community and connectedness with each other that transcends what they do, almost who they are. If you and I love the same books, we know each other. We identify with the same experiences, dreams, fears, and challenges.
And so, when I first met the extraordinarily talented Kristen Farrell – painter, sculptor, goldsmith, fine jewelry designer, and only 28 years old – what struck me was not just the sheer power and majesty of her jewels, but the fact that she, like me, is and has always been a lover of books – a devotee of stories and adventures that leave her mind rich with people and elements from times medieval to the present, places real and imagined, simple and fantastical. Exotic caravan routes that crisscrossed India, tall menacing spires on Gothic churches in England, tales of love lost and love found, are all part of her canvass, the stage on which she creates her work. This rich tapestry of images informs both her and her work, rendering both Kristen and her work disarmingly and refreshingly pure, intense and deep. I’m amazed at how someone so young can know so much about life, and also be willing to lay bare her soul to a judgmental world.
There are so many cool things in Kristen’s collection. Just their names evoke a strong sense of fantasy. There are mystical talon bracelets, shield and star pendants, wolverine rings, angel wings rings, dagger earrings, knight earrings, lancelot pendants, creature heart pendants and armor bangles. Each piece has its own story and holds its own magic.
Once upon a time there was a little girl named Kristen, who fell in love with the magic and mystery of brightly colored beads, and dreamed of growing up to create fantastic jewelry. With tenacity, and a sensitivity and openness which permitted her to take in the beauty of the human experience, Kristen has emerged as the lead character in her own bedtime story. And the story is one that’s both amazing and inspirational.
blog comments powered by Disqus