Kellie Leighton

Like my mother said to me this morning..."you put so much of yourself into your work, every piece shows another side of you. Don't be afraid to be yourself"

2011-06-19T07:25:00.000-07:00

And with those wise words I began to really think about not just this piece but the last year & everything I've made it through...As gay as it sounds (although totally true), mother dearest was right.

Ever since I can remember my art has been a place were I can go and be my true self. A place were I was safe, alone and were no one judged me. I guess thats why its so personal to me because every criticism made about the piece is like a direct criticism to me.

I've struggled allot this year whilst studying at Bishopsland. Although whilst its an amazing place to nurture making skills and teaches valuable life skills and business/ entrepreneurial skills. For someone like me, a somewhat strange cat and free soul, its slightly soul destroying because they just don't get who I am and what my art is all about...unexplainable, somewhat like myself...but I guess thats what makes it different.

Anyway this is my latest piece. Keeping true to myself, as always. No matter how hard it gets :)

2011-04-15T04:37:00.000-07:00

Hello,

So I've had a busy BUT exciting last week with finally getting my design sorted for British Silver Week, ordering the silver (£726 oh my...), doing a 2 day master class with Jaqueline Mina, designing, designing, designing...piercing to my hearts content :) and winning a private competition hosted for the Bishopsland gang to win £350 for gold, judged by Jacqueline Mina.

Here are some of my fellows hard at work :), to the left Ela Banach and to the right James Hughes.

Below is the design (in card), for my silver bowl that I'm going to be starting as soon as my saw blades and new drill bits arrive from cooksons :) CANNOT ACTUALLY WAIT!!!!

Better go and have a munch before I'm off to help at Adam Jacobs, a small exhibition that the rest of the gang will be exhibiting in and myself doing a demonstration of my piercing technique.

2011-04-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

Hey,

So today I was sat for hours drawing, cutting, piercing to get my design ideas clarified in my own mind, before they are submitted to the lovely man " John Higgins" who is commissioning me to make a bowl for Brittish Silver Week....eeekkkkk I know.

Still drawing like a mad man but thought you might want a wee sneaky peek :D

Morning all, or should I say afternoon :P

2011-03-23T05:09:00.000-07:00

Hey.

So been working on this brooch over the last couple of days

Not quite finished yet but, should be done in an hour or 2 n then off it goes to hallmarking. Also need to start working on some raising by the end of today. Here r some designs that I've been thinking about for a Britannia or fine Silver 10 inch silver disk. The plan is to raise & entirely pierce a bowl for British Silver Week, for a big statement piece.

Cheesy peeps

2011-03-20T11:59:00.000-07:00

Urghhhh bit of a mental block. I've been burning my brain out for the last couple of days of how create movement & flow in my bowl for British Silver Week. I just can't seem to get a design that I'm completely satisfied with. Anyway this dude Fernadez uses oil in a magnificent way & captures the flow of water around the body perfectly.

awake

2011-03-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

Allot of people ask me what inspires me. Really it makes me wonder, do people just walk around with their eyes closed. Just open ur eyes and see

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8736190

p.s please dont be pissed off with me dear photographer for not crediting ur work, I simply didn't get ur name attached whilst stumbling BUT ur work is awesome :)

2011-03-20T05:12:00.000-07:00

So I woke up like I do most mornings. Xcited...MUCH. Whilst sipping on my coffee I stumbled across these beautiful images by © tonivc, kind of mesmerizing huh. Anyway I promised myself that I'd actually do something productive today, well see how that goes...

As British silver weeks grows closer n closer, this image (above) pops in my head and I'm like sh*t. I have to get my design sorted for a bowl that I'm making. My problem is procrastination and my ideas of perfection are insane. I could spend years drawing until I get it THE exact way I want BUT I only have until Friday, when my tutor comes bk from vacation n gives me the silver to make it happen. I have to find a way of capturing movement as beautifully as the wave pictures above. HEHO could be kinda difficult but I do LOVE challenge.

So I give u this image, again found whilst thinking off course ;) and say don't think 2 hard because that will get u nowhere and possibly make ur head explode

Press

2011-03-15T16:43:00.000-07:00

Craft Scotland

Craft Scotland

Goldsmiths

Craft Scotland

Henley Standard

Selection of Jewellery

2011-03-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

From the top

Brooch 925 silver 70mm x 25mm

Earrings 925 silver 70x 30mm

Earrings 925 silver 15mm x 10mm

Cad work for YDSA

2011-03-15T15:50:00.000-07:00

Intricate detailing

2011-03-15T15:43:00.000-07:00

Example of piercing technique that design could be adapted to any vessel, vase etc.

Made in 925 Silver and plated in 24k gold

A mesmerizing state

2011-03-15T15:09:00.000-07:00

925v Sterling Silver
Dimensions: 18mm x 240mm
Height: 240mm

Growth and Fluidity Centre Piece

2011-03-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

925 Sterling Silver
Dimensions: 280mm x220mm
Height:160mm

Optical Illusion Centre Piece

2011-03-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

925 Sterling Silver
Dimensions: 180mm x240mm
Height: 150mm