Vermeer had the right idea: The glance. The austere lighting. The pearl. Inspirational on so many levels, a photo shoot with Steve Pelosi of Pelosi Photo provided the opportunity to discover her again and to provide an interesting palette to showcase my contemporary earring designs.
The Contemporary Pearl
This pearl happens to look exactly like the one in Vermeer's painting. However, this pearl is cultured in China. Not an option in Vermeer's day. The model is Vera Katura. Yes. That Katura. Proving that nepotism is alive and well here at the atelier.
Juliet - Test Shot
Here is Juliet. And this is actually the test shot for the shoot. No make-up. No Photoshop. Oh to be nineteen. (And she's as smart and sweet as she is beautiful!)
Her necklace and earrings are a testament to the timelessness of pearls and good design: She's wearing two pieces commissioned by her grandmother and namesake, Juliet Sr. They look as perfect on Junior as they do on her grandmother even though they are separated by 65 years.
The necklace is composed of large cultured freshwater pearls with a signature large baroque. The nuanced colors range from pink to violet to gold. The earrings utilized two pearls left over from the strand with large, perfectly matched pear shaped pearls suspended beneath. Like the necklace, the colors are slightly different from one another giving it a subtle asymmetrical feel.
Amanda - Wings of Desire
The final shot for this installment (and also the final shot of the shoot) is Amanda. High cheekbones and porcelain skin, it was impossible to take a bad shot. The only difficulty was trying to edit down which shots to print for the installation.
The earring dubbed "Wings of Desire" is a cultured wing shaped pearl with three "feathers" that perch on the lobe with a briolette drop catching the light beneath it. This earring has been made in several different incarnations with different sized pearls and gemstone briolettes. This shape, unusual yet versatile, is no longer being cultured. Not to worry. I buy them up every chance I get.
Reception
To see many more images in the series, come to the atelier. We will be hosting a reception for the wonderful models on Friday, 9 August, 6 - 9p.m.
