Rachel Wittschen

Artist Statement

As an artist, I love creating works that will leave viewers with an experience. This is why you will find in my portfolio not just jewelry but "wearable art". I believe that if a picture is worth a thousand words, sculptures must be worth entire libraries. I find inspiration in myth and legend as well as nature and fantasy, and I try to imbue this into my pieces to create a sense of something bigger. My pieces come with soul, symbolism, even helpful messages for their wearers. 

My specialty is jewelry design and metal smithing, and my current focus is on Lost Wax Casting. Also known in the French as "cire perdue", this is a method that dates back to the fourth millennium BC. This process consists of sculpting, detailing, mold-making, and finally casting in a chosen metal. Originally a technique used for larger scale sculptures, the ability to take on and hold fine details makes it the perfect foundation for my hand sculpted work. Along with this, I've incorporated and adapted different tools to bring my concepts to life. Using everything from classic small-scale carving tools to old iron railroad spikes to repurposed dental tools, I carve and texture sculptures smaller than a thumb.

The best summary of my work can be found in the chosen name of my business: Folly & Flow. This name came to me years before I moved into metalsmithing and has always held true to my method and philosophy. My work captures the fun and whimsy of my internal world as I fully lose myself in the flow state of creating. Along with the many other influences over the course of my life, I've found a great deal of inspiration in nature, history, and fantasy depicted by old and new artists. The works and writings of fantasy, like that of Julie Bell and J.R.R. Tolkien, have inspired me to look further into the fantastical worlds and times outside my own experience. Meanwhile the modern work of artists like James Jean and Naomi Nowak have always left me feeling that there are so many more concepts waiting to be explored. I hope that one day, my work can pass that same feeling of inspiration along to the next generation of creatives.

I've been able to make progress in developing my portfolio and my business, despite working with limited resources. It has been a battle against time, luck, and circumstance, but my determination knows no bounds! I plan to continue adding to my portfolio and expanding my inventory of equipment in order to continue exploring and experimenting in my work.

Biography

For as long as I can remember, my deepest sense of self came from the ability to create. My parents were always great examples of the ability to take ideas, sketch up a plan, and come out with a tangible result in the form of both creative and constructive work. Between my mom being an artist and computer specialist as well as my dad being a builder and car enthusiast, I had exactly the equation of experiences necessary to never second-guess whether I could make an idea into reality. I would mess with whatever mediums and materials I could get my hands on, whether it be fiber arts, 2d art and illustration, or sculpting and carving. To reinforce my belief that if I could imagine it I could make it, I made sure to keep a constant presence of art in my environment throughout my junior and highschool experience. This eventually led me to taking graphic design courses in high school, where I found an intense interest in functional or wearable art.

When I left home, I attended Ducret School of Art from 2012 into 2016. This was a very unique school experience because all the teachers were professionals or alumni who taught a variety of art mediums using their first hand experience in the field. During my time at the school, I stumbled into a jewelry design class taught by Larry Grove, a true jewelry wizard. This was where I learned about lost wax casting, soldering, mold making, and casting, among so many other unique lessons and experiences. I also learned about other fun mediums and methods such as clay sculpting, oil painting, and glasswork, while making so many connections to other artists. Finally, the most fun part about the school in my opinion, was the two annual shows they hosted between semesters. I had helped with and participated in multiple shows, even walking away with several awards for my entries!  

Once I graduated, I moved back home which unfortunately meant that I would have no access to a workshop, let alone the basic equipment necessary for my work. I tried to find some direction for my art, like screen printing, embroidery, and digital art painting. No matter what, I was determined to keep art present in my life. Eventually I was able to get my hands on some minor tools for lost wax and carving. Over time, I would pick up other tools and materials like files, dremels and hand tools, even a large buffing and polishing wheel (which was difficult and messy to use without the housing equipment). During this time, I was working as a waitress and saved up what I could. Finally, in September 2021, I left my serving job to create my business, Folly & Flow. I then worked as a designer at a Cape May, NJ jewelry store called Trinkets for about a year, while building up my own personal workshop. While learning about the professional equipment and logistics of being a professional jewelry designer and continuing to develop my own work in tandem with my creative experiences in the shop, I was able to continue toward my goal.

These last few years have presented plenty of hurdles, but in 2023 I was able to start vending at art and craft shows. As of right now, I've been able to participate in several shows that provided me the chance to sell my work, gain a following, and develop a presence in the art community. I plan to arrange seasonal show schedules and look into selling with stockists while I continue to create small scale works and design custom commissions.

FollyandIron_2024_sterling silver twig castings and iron wood face_14 inches

HandsOfFate_2023_sterling silver lost wax carvings_18inches

BoloSet_2022_sterling silver and 14k_20 inches