After My Own Heart

Artist Statement

My heart forever lies on the sandy beaches of Carmel by the Sea, right off the shore of 17-mile drive, where my great grandmother’s house sits empty. Even at 100 years old my Pama got up every day, did her hair and makeup and put on her jewelry. Those little things made her feel alive even as she was losing bits and pieces of herself with age. The jewelry she wore was elegant and eclectic and she never cared about it being “too much”. That is something I will forever live by because of her influence. These pieces of jewelry pay tribute to her beautifully lived life, her extravagant home, and will be worn by her granddaughters so they too can have a piece of the shell with them wherever they may go.

The mother of pearl is meant to resemble the windows, and the hammered brass resembles the foundation. When placed next to one another, you can see that they form the structure of the house, this concept was inspired by the idea that no matter how far apart we all may be, the shell ties us to one another.

Even though she is gone, her shell still sits above the ocean, where the reflection of the sunset paints the windows every night. Even though the house no longer belongs to my family, it will always be a part of me, because it is the one thing that connects us all. I will never lose it, for it is after my own heart.