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“Bloom”

Posted in Art Nouveau with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 4, 2023 by James Field
Roses in soft pastel shades of pink, lavender, cream, and yellow sit in my bedroom/home office window.

There are always flowers for those who want to see them.

Henri Matisse

So…this is May 2023. The flowers bloom before me in colorful splendor. They burst forth in a 1000 different colors that each inspire my artistry. I wanted to take some time to share what has been inspiring me lately. Flowers are one of my favorite inspirations. I think you can see why.

The art of pearl stringing is very tedious to say the least. However, it remains one of my favorite artistic mediums. I enjoy the process of sourcing my materials very much. From gem and jewelry tradeshows, to online vendors and local jewelry supply stores, I do my best to source and acquire pearls and gemstone beads that match in color, shape, and size.

The necklace above is a 7ft long, individual pearl strand that I’ve recently completed. The necklace contains over 200 cream to pure white pearls of various shapes and sizes. Each pearl is hand strung and knotted on 60mm thick silk thread. I use a simple pearl knotting tool to make and secure the knot between each pearl. This ensures the pearls do not touch each other, which causes damage to the pearl surfaces.

Green is the color of May, is it not? The beautiful Emerald stone is said to be associated with the month, however I have a few other favorite green stones. The necklace above is a composite of all of my favorite green stones. The necklace graduates in size and gradients in color from light to dark. The lighter color stone is Fluorite and they graduate in size from small to medium size beads. The next is the Aventurine which is a darker shade, and graduates in size as well from a medium size bead to a larger size. The tube-shaped bead is a soft green Jade, which has been carved with a lovely swirling cloud motif. Lastly, I added an oval, faceted dark green Emerald to the outside of the carved Jade stone. I enjoy the various shades of green displayed in this one piece. As you can see, it is very versatile as it can wrap around the wrist to create a statement bracelet.

Cycling outdoors is another favorite activity, and being outside is very inspiring to me and my work. There is a local park that has a beautiful lake where I sit and read for hours. I enjoy sitting on the bench and watch the sun hit the rippling waves and glitter like natural diamonds. I try not to wear them while cycling, however some days I layer on my samples and enjoy impromptu photoshoots on my own. There are three necklaces in each photo above.

The first photo contains a smaller collet necklace of round, white pearls, followed by a longer necklace of multi-color, and larger oblong shaped pearls. Lastly, I completed the look with the 7ft individual strand.

The second photo contains a round multi-color pearl, single strand necklace with an oblong white pearl in the center. That necklace is followed by the two others I mentioned above, and linked together with a lever-back, single pearl pendant. These necklaces are my current pride and joy. They took months to complete as I would continuously restring them if the length was off by even a few inches. They remain samples, and are my design signature no doubt, and will remain so as I continue to grow my brand GoldField.

Lastly, while reading “The National Gem Collection” by Jeffrey E. Post, I stopped on the Feldspar gems page. I had been reading the book for several days and studying each section on Diamonds, Corundum (Sapphire & Ruby), Pearls, Quartz, etc. I wanted to reset a Sunstone pendant that I had in my collection, and in that moment stopped reading and created the above necklace. The piece is handcrafted using round and oval paper clip style links, and is completed with a magnetic barrel clasp. As you can see, the Sunstone pendant is slight oval in shape and faceted on both sides of it’s surface. The color is a soft pinkish orange, and simply sparkles in direct sunlight.

So here is where I end this post. The photo above is that of my sample and tool board. It hangs on the wall next to my desk, and when I look up at it continuously reminds me to continue designing. It can be very challenging for a singular artist these days. There are always those seeking to criticize and judge one and one’s work, however one must persist. Inner determination to see one’s goals realized is a true super power.

I will continue to design, be inspired and try my best to inspire others.

Thank you for reading.

J.F

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Introducing: The GoldField Brand x James Field

Posted in Nouveau Spotlight with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 13, 2022 by James Field
GoldField is “The Destination for Beauty.” Est. 2009 & launched officially c. 2022 by James Field

To begin, it has been several years since my last post. Where do I even begin? A global pandemic, state shutdowns, inflation, and even two cross country road trips, alone (I’ll be posting about them soon) could not slow me down. I pushed and pushed until I made it to this moment right now, where I can finally speak about it. I look back with intense gratitude and a profound sense of accomplishment, so now let’s begin!

My journey began in February 2020, when I decided that I had enough of the east coast. I packed up my truck with my treasures and memories, donated everything else in my apartment, then I simply left. I drove four days across this beautiful country, in search of setting up new roots. I needed a fresh start, desperately. Work and family tensions peaked that year for me, and I wanted to escape. To leave all and everything I had ever known to seize my life and place it back under my own control. This was a mission I would not back down from, because it literally meant life or death.

The trip was indescribable. I felt emotions so deeply that through the entire drive to Los Angeles, I periodically pulled over to just cry from the sheer beauty and freedom I was experiencing. It was all therapeutic, freeing, and yet incredibly terrifying. I had no prospects, apartment or even a secure source of income waiting for me on the west coast, but I did not care. Since I could not force any guaranteed outcome for myself, plus battling the pandemic, caused me to depart shortly after I had arrived. I cannot begin to describe the disappointment I had in just about everything at this moment. I even attempted to set roots in the west the following summer and could not. After my second trip, I decided to stay on the east coast for now. Stay and do what my heart was pushing and calling for me to do, and that was focus on my business.

The brand is entitled GoldField. The name is a combination of my favorite metal and my paternal last name. It has been my brainchild and passion since 2009. After co-founding Sergio + James in New York City, I always knew I wanted my own brand, that worked with more elevated materials. GoldField is my small, beginners “stage” that will showcase all of the treasures I have collected over the past decade, and a prime space to represent my handcrafted creations to the world. In-between several unfulfilling and challenging jobs, I began to carve out time to organize my collection, work on samples and get ready for the brand launch.

Do it!
GoldField Earring Concepts c. 2022 by James Field

I am living proof that you can experience failure, have no capital, income, or even formal education in a specific industry, and still pursue your dreams. These last three years I have been rejected in more ways than I care to share with you, however my inner strength carried me through it. At times I felt as though I had lost everything, yet I never lost my passion. My burning desire to be a business owner for the second time before the age of 35, finally came to fruition. You are capable. You are strong. You have experience. You WILL succeed. If you have a passion, GO FOR IT. Simple as that. Let nothing stop you.

Handcrafted freshwater & baroque pearl convertible stud/drop earrings samples. GoldField c. 2022 by James Field
GoldField Pearl & Semi-precious stone bead samples created between 2019-2021 by James Field

GoldField was created in theory in 2009, however the online shop was officially launched in 2022. I am very grateful for the time gap. That time allowed me to continue working on designs and adding to my vintage/fine jewelry collection. My ultimate goal for GoldField is a physical boutique on the ground level, and my private residence located above. I want and will have the true “atelier” a studio, where I have free range to create, realize my designs, and cultivate my dreams.

I thank you all for still trickling in to view my little blog, and I am so excited to share my journey with you into the new year. If you are interested in my progression, stay tuned and check out my new social media accounts created to focus on my business and passions. Thank you for reading!

James Field – December 13th, 2022.

Check out the links to: The GoldField Shop on Etsy. The Instagram page of The Educated Jeweler & The Tumblr page of The Educated Jeweler, via the links below. 💜

James Field c. 2022

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One Week in Paris

Posted in Art Nouveau with tags , , , , , , , , , on July 17, 2018 by James Field

 

 

Holiday

noun  hol·i·day 

“A day on which one is exempt from work; specifically : a day marked by a general suspension of work in commemoration of an event”

Following the Webster definition of the word, the event that is in question was my Thirtieth birthday, which I was blessed to have spent in France. Follow me as I retrace my steps back to that One Week in Paris.

I arrived on the sunny Saturday morning of June 23rd. When I landed, I was hit with an immediate sense of adventure and excitement to experience all the wonders the city was calmly awaiting for me to marvel over.

My trip of course needed a central comfort base, and the quaint Hotel Boronali in the colorful neighborhood of Montmarte, was just the place. The hotel is perched atop a little hill with a cafe just on the corner, and surrounded by picturesque townhouses and restaurants.

The Hotel Bornali – 65 Rue de Clingnancourt, Montmarte neighborhood of the 18th Arrondissement

The Beautiful Sacre Coeur Basilica, at the top of a hill on the Rue de Chevalier de la Barre.

 

My room was located on the 3rd floor and overlooked an inner courtyard, but was very quiet and cozy. I flew into Paris from New York City, with a connecting flight in Toronto, so to say the least my back was in all kinds of knots. I immediately searched for a local spa. After being restored by a wonderful hour-long back and leg rub (fairly priced), I was ready to start planning my week, but not before a quick roam around the neighborhood to get a feel of my surroundings. I walked for about two blocks before I stumbled upon a bustling little market. The side streets were full of charming vendors selling 18th and 19th century furniture, vintage jewelry, and all sorts of objet d’art.

It wasn’t long before I spotted a vintage brown leather drawstring bag, a pair of red cotton and hemp slippers, a set of two watercolor paintings from 1960, and a mixed-metal African pendant necklace, before I calmly made my way to the hotel with the biggest grin on my face. I was absolutely thrilled and knew from that moment on the rest of my time in Paris would be a special one.

Unpacking luggage and organizing took about an hour and after grabbing a bite from a delicious local Turkish stand, the evening was upon me. I wanted to head out for a walk, so I showered and changed into my interpretation of a 1970’s Parisian club kid: A black silk velvet smoking jacket with no shirt under, a set of vintage 1940’s black silk pajama pants with gold thread embroidery, and finally topped with a vintage 1960’s black wool schoolboy cap.

Paris at night is sublime. The street lights collectively glitter like jewels that have been strategically placed about to adorn the great city. I walked and marveled for about two hours before stopping in a small bar for an evening nightcap.

The next morning I wanted to begin with a semi-traditional “French breakfast” so I made my way to the corner cafe on route to the center of the city, which would be my ultimate destination for the day. A warm and flaky almond croissant, black coffee with a little fresh creme, and a tart topped with fresh berries was appropriate, at least I thought.

It takes about a 30 minute walk down from Montmarte to the center of the city, so with music playing in my headphones I began to capture the sights along the way.

The iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, 6 Parvis Notre-Dame Pl. Jean-Paul II

The Palais Garnier Opera House

The fountains at the Palais de Chaillot

The Place Vendôme

The Place des Victoires and the equestrian statue of King Louis XIV.

The inner courtyard (Cour d’Honneur) of the Palais Royal. I am standing on art, as the black and white columns are part of the famous installation “Les Deux Plateaux” by French artist Daniel Buren.



The Hôtel de Ville

 

Returning to my hotel that afternoon I was tired but began planning out my next adventure….Versailles. The famed suburb of Versailles is located 30 minutes by train outside of Paris. The historic Chateau de Versailles is unlike anything I have ever seen in person. The sheer scale of the building and gardens are breathtaking, but it is nothing compared to what awaits the eye once inside.

 

 

There is a reason my photos of the inside of the Chateau were void of other people (of course I was one of hundreds of tourist that day) and that is because I wanted to try to capture the still beauty of what I consider to be a work of art, in its own right. There are countless exhibitions around the world dedicated to the architecture, furnishings and gardens of Versailles that it made it hard for me to actually believe I was there. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited in my life. The photos and memories will truly last a lifetime.

The remainder of my time in Paris consisted of visits to the Louvre, Nissim de Comondo, and Arts Decoratifs Museums, and more fantastic views of the city below.

 

The Jardin du Luxembourg, June 25th my 30th birthday

 

 

Throne of Emperor Napoleon I

 

 

 

 

The French Crown Jewels

 

 

 

The Cafe Marly at Musee du Louvre

 

Musee Nissim de Camondo

 

Musee des Arts Decoratifs

A 1920’s Cartier clock at Musee des Arts Decoratifs

 

The Seine River

The Fountaine de Mars

 

 

Pont Alexandre III Bridge

Home

Before I knew it, it was time for my flight back to the States and I just couldn’t believe the week I had just experienced. It was an enchanting, wonderful, and special trip full of great memories that I will certainly cherish forever.

Thank you for reading.

(All photos are my own)

James

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T.B.N Interviews: Andrea Warmington

Posted in T.B.N Interviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 1, 2016 by James Field

 

“Creativity is contagious, pass it on” -Albert Einstein

Greetings! Its been sometime since my last T.B.N feature with the Master Jeweler & Sculptor, Mr. Wallace Chan, and I felt that it was time for some new material!

Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Andrea Warmington, a very talented Creative Director in the Beauty & Fashion industries by way of London, England. She discusses her passion for creativity, design, art and how she achieved her dreams in the overly saturated melting pot that is Manhattan.

TBN: Let’s begin with your background, where did you grow up? When did you decide that moving to New York was something you wanted to do?

A.W: I grew up in London England, I came to New York to go to Art school, The School of Visual Arts. I was always into art and design. I loved drawing. My sister was going to Parsons in New York. I was really inspired by her doing what she loved, which was fashion designing. So I decided to apply to art school.

I didn’t think I would have a career in the arts. I was really into computer science in a strange way. I loved that aspect of writing code and getting into the technical side of the computer system. But I had a passion for art and acted upon it. After art school the first job I got was senior designer at Harper Collins, designing book covers. I must say I felt like I was in a dream the first 6 months. I was doing what I loved to do… Designing… Designing books. A book cover to me was like designing a mini poster. Loved the process and how every book cover tells a story, working with the typography illustrations, photography and just being experimental.I did that for a year and wanted to try something new.

I got hired at McCann Erickson as a junior art director working on L’Oreal. It was great, fast passed, and a new creative challenge, beauty advertising. I did that for a year and shortly after that worked for Condé Nast where I freelance for a few years, for Mademoiselle and then Vanity Fair magazines. I loved working there and it really allowed me to work on some fun special projects. I was working on project invites and advertorial pages, and it was always fresh and new. I stayed there for a few years.  I really was ready for a change. And change was working at Ericsson Fina, a beauty boutique ad agency which was a part of Grey New York. I worked on Covergirl as an Art Director to Creative Director where I worked on campaigns with Taylor Swift, Queen Latifah, and Janelle Monáe to mention a few. I worked with a number of amazing photographers and directors, models hair and makeup teams. I loved it!

Janelle Monae for Covergirl

TBN: What was your “Ah ha” moment? ( I borrowed this question from one my idols, Oprah) When did your calling speak to you?

A.W: I think that working at Ericsson Fina was a great “Ah Ha” moment because we pitched a beauty and hair campaign and we won the account. It was a great experience. We were a small creative team of say 8-10 and it was like working with your family. Really supportive, really creative and a good creative challenge.

TBN: As a Creative Director, is there a specific medium that you enjoy working in more than others such as photographic print campaigns vs. digital or television work? What’s the least favorite part of what you do, is there one?

A.W: I really love photography and film. I love the process of coming up with a creative campaign for a brand, the research and development and crafting of that campaign and then producing the final concept. I love the story telling aspect. I love how a photo alone can tell the story without words.

I love the idea of tapping into ones emotions…

I’m not sure if there’s a least favorite aspect of what I do. I have to think about that…

TBN: You work with what I assume to be large groups of talented individuals such as Photographers, Hairstylist’s, Makeup Artist, etc. Do you find it difficult to align on one common vision for a project?

A.W: I’ve worked with Pat McGrath an amazing British and Black makeup artist, Photographer Tom Munro, Micheal Tompson, Dan Jackson, some really amazing creative guys who have worked on some major editorial stories and advertising campaigns. I must say they are all so collaborative and creative. I love working with a team of experts who do what they do best, I have my vision, but it’s just the foundation. Working with a strong team is key and you must be flexible. I don’t like to work with drama queens because the end of the day we are all putting our names on the final product i.e ad campaign or editorial story.

TBN: Did you always envision that you would have a career in this field of work?

A.W: No… I really wanted to be a systems analyst. Can you believe that?!

TBN: This may be a bit of a touchy subject, but do you think that we’ve made collective progress in the availability of jobs within the Fashion Industry for people of color?

A.W: Wow… I’m black and was born in the UK. I remember working at Saatchi & Saatchi in the UK and I was the only black creative person in the building. I would say things have changed a lot over the years. I can talk for the beauty business which is somewhat similar to the fashion business. I do think I’ve had much opportunity to work in the Beauty business both here in the US and in Europe and Asia. It could be timing, but I feel blessed to have the opportunity to work were I’ve worked.

Screen+Shot+2015-09-26+at+4.28.48+PM

TBN: Where do you see your career trajectory within the next 3-5 years? What goals do have on your list, and what advice would you give to readers on how to pursue and manifest their own dreams?

A.W: James that’s a good question. I really love the creative field. I really would love to strive to create work that not only inspires and educates people in some way, but touches you emotionally and in a positive uplifting way. So I’m keeping it open so I can explore new opportunities that will allow me to do this. My new creative challenge now is working for a start up magazine that bridges all the experience I’ve gained over the years. This magazine is a celebrity lifestyle publication that gives you exclusive stories and keeps you current with beauty, fashion, trends, with a European twist. The magazine is in both Spanish and English. I was brought on to take this European Tabloid magazine to the next level in the US market. Check it out on a newsstand near you, Hola! (Made in the USA)

TBN: Lastly Andrea, how has this journey been for you thus far? What has been the most interesting part for you, and what has been the most challenging?

A.W: It’s been a great journey…

I think that things are changing in the industry. I started out in the industry where you were an expert in your field i.e: Beauty. Now it seems that we are all experts. The internet has changed the industry and how consumer are involved in the process. Now you can create your own Youtube commercial and have thousands of people watching it from all around the world… that’s pretty major. From online Youtube videos to digital magazines, Instagram, Facebook, these are all creative tools to express yourself.

Andrea Warmington

Main Site

Facebook

I would like to give a big sincere thanks to Andrea for taking the time to chat with me for The Black Nouveau!

It has been a wonderful insight into the exciting world of Creative Art Direction.

J.F

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Nouveau Spotlight: Sergio Wonder Fall/Winter 2016 Menswear Presentation

Posted in Nouveau Spotlight with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on May 14, 2016 by James Field

Last weekend in Brooklyn I experienced a wonderful presentation of menswear for Fall 2016, by a very special designer.

Mr. Sergio Wonder, my former design partner on the highly successful and innovative custom-made jewelry and accessories line  “Sergio + James” debuted his second consecutive clothing presentation among 5  other designers, in a showcase curated by our good friend Curtis Bryant.

Sergio’s aesthetic stems from his incredibly deep and complex love for Fashion, and the art of presentation on the human form. When we worked on the design concepts for Sergio + James, I was continuously awed and dazzled by his love of fabric selection, research, and of course the design process itself.

This collection showcased for Fall 2016 revealed both an expert attention to detail and a touch of urban sophistication in the form of tailored cotton bomber jackets with hand worked knit detailing, to tapered black & white cotton checked-pattered pants worn under a black knit tee topped off by a black cotton collar & button-less jacket.

Two of my favorite looks. Fifty Shades of Chic is the vibe here.

Two of my favorite looks. Fifty Shades of Chic was the vibe here.

The main idea presented in  Sergio’s collection is a simple concept of utility and wearability, so often lost in independent designers so set in the conviction of bold statement pieces to garner press. He achieves this soft yet modern take on classic looks with various pocket details, pleated shorts, and 4 pocket trousers that create a uniformity to the collection. The more whimsical pieces like the bomber jackets, grey knit and jersey sleeve crew neck pull overs and long sleeve black & white jumpsuit, with pleats are fresh and modern urban chic silhouettes that are right on par with the current “revolution” as its been described of new, different and exciting shapes in menswear.

Form & Function displayed in the balance menswear presentation at Sergio Wonder Fall 2016

Form & Function presented in the balance menswear presentation at Sergio Wonder Fall 2016.

This color scheme of mostly black, white, and grey is simple yet incredibly powerful in its ability to reveal Sergio’s tailoring skills. Custom hand worked jewelry to jumpsuits and bomber jackets, his talent has without a doubt sharpened with time and it was an honor to witness the wonderful expression of said skills.

IMG_8221

The black cotton and knit zip bomber jacket that I absolutely fell in love with, paired with black cropped pants featuring a black side leg stripe.

 

IMG_8217

Sergio with two of the shows models.

 

The entire presentation was quite poetic and fresh, and a well received display of tailoring, craftsmanship and passion by a very talented young artist.

Sergio’s collection was debuted during Brooklyn Fashion Week 2016, which seemed to magnetically attract a colorful and fabulously unique flock of artist, designers, makeup and hair stylists, musicians and the like to Bushwick last Saturday afternoon. There was even a reunion with one of our most passionate patrons to our former jewelry collection, Mr. Michael Ibidapo who wore his custom-made black & white, “Jo” necklaces backstage and posed for a photo with myself and Sergio.

James Field, Michael Ibidapo & Sergio Wonder, after the presentation of the Fall 2016 Menswear collection.

James Field, Michael Ibidapo & Sergio Wonder, after the presentation of the Fall 2016 Menswear collection.

 

Sergio Wonder’s collection of Ready to Wear is available exclusively at

www.SergioWonder.com

Also be sure to follow him via his Tumblr page and on Instagram  and Snapchat at: SergioWndr

 

A special thanks and Congratulations to our good friend Curtis Bryant who curated the 6 show designer showcase, doing a wonderful job of getting such great talent together and it was a pleasure to see Sergio and everyone that attended for gathering of superb young talent.

-James

 

 

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