Eastern repoussé and 3D filigree pendant on a Roman chain

I call this necklace my anti-art-school piece. One of the the things I wanted to be when I grew up was Beatrix Potter. I've never lost my love of mice and rabbits in improbable situations, but years of formal training and years more of always feeling I had to prove that I was a serious artist, made me hide that side of myself. 2020 and all its shifting priorities chipped away at those inner critic voices, and I began devoting more time to painting without caring what others might think of my style. Luna in 2D was born.

Pivoting to teaching online allowed me more time to translate the steps of Eastern repoussé into the stylized, and often cute, animals so many of my students often wanted to learn but struggled to do well. Luna in watercolor became a class project in sterling to teach my methods for undercutting the folds of ears and addressing the tiny details of paws and claws.

However much Luna helped teach others, however much I see myself as serious and devoted to my craft, however much I see my alter ego as a gray wolf or a wild bird of prey, in truth, Luna is my spirit animal!