{ The Elaine Robnett Moore Collection
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Artist's Statement I am the designer and creator of uniquely beautiful wearable art that I collectively refer to as ‘Pieces of Love’. I design necklaces, bracelets, waist beads and earrings. I individually name each piece in my collection based on their own magic, energy, spirit and personality. That comes not only from the story of the materials themselves, but is most often a reflection of the energy, emotion or image I see reflected in the finished piece.
My own life story and journey as an artist unfolded over many years and encompasses several entrepreneurial careers including real estate development, travel planning and business consulting which I used early on to support my five children, all of whom are now grown. My training in art is the combination of a lifetime of emotional, physical, and spiritual travels which led to my first experiments in designing with beads and from where I continued to discover the soul of my pieces.
My work as an international development consultant in West Africa and the Caribbean was pivotal in my education about the powerful spiritual aspects of indigenous cultures and the way in which that power is often manifested in jewelry, especially in beaded jewelry. Combining the magic of the beads and my travel experiences, along with my own African-American heritage, I create wearable art which I like to think is magnificent in color, style and grace unlike any other.
My desire to express my love and respect for the world around me is what inspires my work and also is what seems to draw admirers to my ‘Pieces of Love.’ Many of those who adopt my creations say they help satisfy a yearning for a greater sense of connectedness to the often unexplainable and mysterious energy of the universe.
It’s the same way I felt about beads right from the start. I was spellbound by the beauty I saw in them and the spiritual energy I felt, and still feel whenever I touch them. In designing wearable art, I use beads from around the world. The beads I work with are sometimes old, sometimes new, some collectable, some rare, some ancient, some gemstones, some are even converted from things found on life's pathways like rocks, shells, seeds, bottle glass, unusual shapes of metal, wood and bone. I add many things to these beads, including wonderful strings and unique clasps, plus always lots and lots and lots of love.
I find some of the best things to work with are beads and interesting objects others would throw away. The challenge is to see the beauty in them and to design around them so others see their beauty as well. This, of course, is also a lot like people. In a perfect world, we would always see the beauty of each individual and never find fault.
Color plays a very important role in my creations. It helps me paint a picture, set a mood and/or create an illusion.
The material the beads are strung on is as important as the beads themselves. With some beads, I find they need space to properly show off their pattern, their energy; with others they need more companionship. Therefore, each piece is designed based on the needs of a particular bead or group of beads. The treatment of the stringing material is thus "to meet the bead's desires".
When I am working with collectable, ancient, gemstone or rare beads, it is important to design in such a way as to show off the beads while protecting them as well. My own belief is that beads were and are made-to-be-worn. The idea of simply having a rare and beautiful bead in a box to be looked at is absolutely sacrilegious! For me, it is the same as caging a wild animal or being forced to live a lifestyle without spirit.
I am sure beads have spirit and energy that can and does benefit the wearer. Speaking of spirit, I do not believe as an artist that the designs I come up with are mine. I believe they come from the Universe and/or God, and that I am simply the conduit. This means I am as surprised as anyone else when I see the finished piece!
There are three absolute key elements in each Pieces of Love creation. They are love, beads, and magic. The love of this Universe and the beads, are my contributions. The beads give themselves, bestowing on us, and the ultimate owner/wearer, their special energies. Now the magic, the most important element, comes through the proper combination of the above two elements awakening the spirit of the beads – allowing their magic to manifest in Pieces of Love.
In addition to my work as a designer, it’s important to me to share my passion for beads in other ways as well. I use my artistic talents along with my experience in business to teach design, jewelry making, and micro-business development in both emerging and developed countries throughout the world. I also currently serve as the President of the Bead Society of Greater Washington, an organization dedicated to researching and disseminating information about beads. |
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{ The Elaine Robnett Moore Collection
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