We recently connected with Diana Ferguson and have shared our conversation below.
Diana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I’m a self-taught jewelry artist. I believe learning is a life-long process so I don’t think I could have (or would have wanted to) speed up the process. For me, the skills that have brought the most value to learning have been persistence, fearlessness, a willingness to experiment, and an open mind. Probably the biggest obstacle to learning more has been the sheer lack of time.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?
I’m a full-time bead artist who came to my practice after years in the corporate world. I sell my work through the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale, Arizona; ArtfulHome.com and on my website.
I’ve been asked whether my bead designs are tedious to complete. I usually reply that it’s a noisy world, and that for me the work is blissfully meditative. I fully enjoy the time consuming yet contemplative aspects of bead weaving and treasure how it allows me to fully immerse myself in the process of creating.
I enjoy the elegance of off loom bead weaving. I finds harmony, peace and serenity in the simple movements of stitching and value the way I can fully immerse myself in the creative process as needle passes through beads over and over again. While the end result of my efforts may remain in play until the piece announces itself done, I’m certain the outcome will contain beauty.
I employ a variety of off loom bead weaving techniques in my work, and especially enjoy Architectural Peyote Stitch, which I became familiar with through the Contemporary Geometric Beadwork movement. This approach to beadwork reflects my fascination with beads as structural elements and my appreciation for art as process. I create using needle, thread and many, many, many glass seed beads. I often design intuitively, allowing color and pattern to unfold into the finished object.
I have a B.A. in Art and am a self-taught jewelry artist. I prefer learning on my own to attending workshops. I’m doggedly determined to master new techniques and will not quit until I’ve figured it out. At which point things often take a turn for the interesting. I enjoy reading about art and individual artists, finding it inspires me to push harder in my own studio practice.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative?
There are so many aspects to being an artist that are rewarding! I really enjoy the fact that I’m constantly being called upon to problem-solve. Whether it’s learning how to photograph my work, write a product description, create a website, or figure out how to show up on social media, there’s not been a dull moment!
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Nurturing curiosity about art and creativity is key! The study of art and art history should be part of every learning curriculum. Individuals of all ages should be encouraged to read books about art, and attend art events, where they can ask questions, listen to the answers, ask more questions!
The acquisition of artworks both large and small, as well as collection building, should be encouraged. For the purchaser, the art they collect will become an important part of their life and of their story. It’s also a valid way to contribute to the economy since purchasing artwork helps not only the artist creating it but the many vendors the artist relies on for their materials, frames, studio and show space, etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dianafergusonjewelry.com
- Instagram: @DianaFergusonJA
- Facebook: @DianaFergusonJA
- Other: https://www.artfulhome.com/artist/Diana-Ferguson/9261 https://celebrateart.com/store/diana-ferguson/
Image Credits
Leah Hope Photography and Diana Ferguson