Interview with Mary Zayman

I work in a studio in my Brooklyn apartment. It's very well equipped, and includes my two cats Pip and Malik who are a great source of comic relief.

For me design involves seeing the universal patterns and connections all around us. Let's say I see a beautiful tree. I may run home and start making something because the branches sparked a feeling in me and it seems important to try and capture that. If I can distill that essence so other people can have a positive experience that connects me, the tree, and the other person. This may sound esoteric, but that's because this question is asking me to put into words something that is essentially an emotional and visceral experience.

No preference. Lately I am drawn to rings and bracelets.

My designs each have some meaning to me. A piece which may not be the most successful might have given me a crucial learning experience. Like a mother with children I try not to have favorites.

Currently forging, lost wax technique, and carving metal.

Late evening to early morning.

My focus moves from the piece as a whole to details and back to the whole. I also turn the piece around constantly to view it as a sculpture in the round.

All of them.

Happy yet also critical. I'm a perfectionist.

A design needs to speak for itself; it is a visual communication. If it needs to be explained it is not successful.

I look at the design in it's entirety. I pay attention to the response I am having. I keep in mind that even if I don't respond positively the work could still be a good design.

As a jewelry artist I feel a responsibility to make my designs express ideas, feelings, concepts, and beliefs wholeheartedly. To try and push oneself and one's work beyond what has already been done can help to inspire, inform, and uplift. I don't believe it is necessary nor possible to achieve this integrity with each design, but the striving to do so needs to be there.

My next and first exhibition will be a group show to be held near Venice, Italy next year.

I am inspired by the natural world as well as dreams, emotions, and memories.

Sculptural and biomorphic. That's just now though. Who knows how it might evolve?

I think the American artist Jasper Johns gave the best answer I have ever heard. He said "Take an object. Do something to it. Do something else to it."
(excerpt from a New York Times article by Roberta Smith published July 29, 1990 entitled Jasper Johns, Incessant Recycler of Images.

Believe in yourself and find a mentor. Only hang around with people who are supportive of you and your work. Strive for balance in your life. Don't go into your studio and work ten hours straight without food or water. It will burn you out and make you crabby. I speak from experience!

Being creative is one of life's great joys, but it can be isolating.

Each component of a good design is interesting in itself, and when seen as a whole the design should be more than the sum of its parts. A good design flows; the gaze of the viewer should flow around the design rather than getting interrupted by an aspect of the design which was not carefully thought through. Every line, shape and color should be there intentional.

Determination and a willingness to fail. The ability to learn from mistakes and to keep on trying no matter what. Humility is helpful whereas superficial egotism is not.

First and foremost my sketchbook. I also have books and countless jewelry making tools,

I try and stick to a set schedule to be in my studio whist making time for other important aspects of living. It's essential to also take time to have a life!

It depends completely on the project.

Where do your ideas come from?

All of them.

I am an emerging artist and am looking forward to finding them.

Work, work, and more work.

I design by myself and am blessed to have a wonderful mentor who has been there for me from the start.

I am working on a bracelet that I am really excited about. I see branching out into many different directions in this piece.

I can be contacted via email at zaymanmary@aol.com

Thank you to all of the people who have given me support and wisdom, especially my wonderful husband and my inspiring mentor. Thank you A' Design Award for this honor.