JEWELRY

GEHRING-RYAN VISUAL ART

I am a visual artist focusing on Painting and Art Metals. I work primarily in Sterling Siver and natural Stones accented with gold and enamel. Hand fabrication focusing on soldering, hammering, stone-setting, fusing and forming is my process.

I also work in Cloisonné Enamel, the fusing of colored glass channeled between fine silver and gold wire. Texture, line, color and form; elements are brought together to create a work of art that is pleasing to the eye.

Setting a torch to a piece of wire, manipulating its shape and structure is a rewarding process for me to showcase design skills. I strive for simple elegance and strong design in my work.

Featured Artist September 2023

To help our customers understand more about the artists behind the work, we asked Le Ann a few questions:

What continues to draw you to Jewelry?

I have been working with metal since high school.

The love affair continued into adulthood… primarily when I taught Art Metals to eager young students at Mankato West High School in Mankato Minnesota. I have a studio in my home that includes a kiln for firing Cloisonné enamel. To create something beautiful and functional from a piece of metal is tremendously satisfying.

What is your favorite thing to make?

I personally feel a bit naked without earrings and I find they are a big seller. I enjoy challenging myself to come up with fresh unique designs that will please my patrons. 

Creating a one-of-a-kind neck piece is also great fun. Lately I seem to be intrigued by bolo ties. Incorporating stones and mixed metal continues to fascinate me.

If you had to choose another art medium to work in, what would it be?

In addition to working with metal, I also paint. I work mostly with acrylic paint, often in a mixed medium format.  Most recently, I have been working on a series of watercolors for an upcoming show in October.