We recently connected with Johanna Typaldos and have shared our conversation below.

Johanna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I do not usually accept commissions, but I made an exception for my very good friend, Ashley. We met in the graduate program at NMSU for studio art and she was two years ahead of me. She requested engagement rings, the scariest of all commissions. Engagement rings are a lot of pressure because they are with their wearers for one of the most important days of their lives, companions in wedding photos and at anniversaries, always reminding them of that special time. The ring can make or break that day, and I usually do not wish to be a factor. I reminded her that I am an art jeweler; what I can make will not look like what would be available at a traditional jewelry store (although there are art jewelers with this kind of training). She was already aware and quite excited because she was looking for less traditional options. Ashley explained to me that she and her fiancé would go to where their vows would be said near the Organ Mountains in Las Cruces and gather small stones to use in place of a diamond for her ring. Her fiancé would wear a simple but thick silver band. She brought me several rocks with the varied textures and colors of the nearby mountains. How special it was to use material from the place of their soon-to-be union. It felt magical as if I was helping her cast an intimate spell. According to the design we discussed, the stone required drilling to set with a post going through the middle. I began drilling through the stones to find which would not break or crack. A square-ish stone, half rusty-orange and the other half like red-brown granite stood the test. I had to be creative with this setting. Since the rock’s composition was unknown and the fragility a risk, I decided to protect the stone with silver on either side of it, setting the stone with a silver post through the middle leaving a shiny dot on top. The band was thick sterling with a hammered texture, matching her fiancé’s. I had to find her fiancé at a restaurant in Mesilla to make sure his band fit. I laugh when I remember interrupting lunch with his family who traveled here for the wedding. The second most exciting part of the making was pushing the silver into the drilled hole of the rock to secure it, decorating it with the dot. The most exciting part was showing my friend the finished pieces: an engagement ring and two wedding bands. She was delighted, which delighted me. Sometime after the wedding, the stone had broken calling me to another challenge. This separation would not do, of course. I imagined the magic of that day pouring out of the stone through the crack if the two pieces were to separate. We decided to wrap the edges in fine silver, mending the crack forever. Now it looks better than ever. My only regret is not wrapping it in the first place. The commission ended up being fun but challenging, and all-in-all very satisfying. I love pleasing my friends and making them happy, especially if it involves problem-solving in Metals and Jewelry.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I studied metals and jewelry under the established enamelist Sarah Perkins at Missouri State University and finished under Jina Seo. I continued to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in Metals and Jewelry at New Mexico State University under Motoko Furuhashi. During my undergrad experience, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to study abroad in Taiwan and have exhibited in several shows and publications. My work explores self-identity through repetition and series. The different versions in the series are representative of changing versions of the self due to both time and circumstance. My hope for the future is to continue to exhibit and to learn, while simultaneously developing ties with other emerging artists. I imagine one day I will teach at a university, spending my free time on artistic pursuits.

Perkins was the first to introduce me to the field, after which I fell in love with the medium. The hardness of the material and how easily it lends itself to interdisciplinary ventures is why I have stayed with it. I make metal art and will sometimes sell at annual jewelry sales through NMSU. Since I have difficulty letting go of my work, I plan to earn a living by teaching. My work is very personal to me and tends to take the shape of a diary entry in object form. I am interested in psychology and human behavior and plan on getting more involved with my community by helping people learn about themselves through art-making.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I value my alone time, but I also enjoy helping people. Being an artist allows me to work in solitude and focus intensely on small details in my work but also affords me opportunities to help others. I want to teach at the college level so I can introduce students to the magical world of metals and jewelry. I love helping them problem-solve and achieve their vision. I have found that being an instructor is almost equal-parts counselor. When students self-express, they often divulge sensitive information about their personal lives. I think art is a great way to work through emotions and promote healing. I am grateful these students trust me and I always do my best to listen and support them to the best of my abilities. Young people need a safe space to share and work through their thoughts and emotions creatively. One always learns new things about themselves in the process of making a new piece.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I sought to be an instructor of metals and jewelry because of the impact my undergraduate professor had on me. She guided me and fostered my curiosity as I proved my interest in the metals and jewelry field. Without her influence, I do not think I would have fallen in love with the medium as I have. She was both encouraging and brutally honest which challenged and pushed me to want to improve my skill. I want to do the same for my undergraduate students. I want to usher new artists into the field. I want to be a part of the creative, problem-solving process and I cherish the comradery of the classroom. It brings a strong sense of pride when I see one of my beginning students sign up for intermediate and advanced classes. I am proud of them and I know I have influenced their lives for the better. Each new voice added to the metals and jewelry field is so important because it adds to the rich tapestry of different viewpoints and emotions reflected through metals and jewelry.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @johannatypaldos
• Other: https://snagmetalsmith.org/membership/member-directory/?_search_wp=johanna%20typa

Image Credits

Yashoda Latkar