Andrea Cole: Artist in Residence at Cedarburg Environmental Study Area
November 6, 2023 | Topics: featured artist
The Natural Realm presents Andrea Cole, who is among 12 artists participating in a year-long residency program called ARTservancy, a collaboration between Gallery 224 in Port Washington and the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, River Revitalization Foundation, Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy, Tall Pines Conservancy, and Lake Michigan Bird Observatory. The mission of ARTservancy is to promote the visionary work of both the artists and conservationists. Each artist has selected a preserve to spend time in and to engage with.
Artist Statement by Andrea Cole
Cedarburg Environmental Study Area (CESA) was among a list of preserves that I chose to visit early in my ARTservancy residency. When choosing a preserve, I knew that I would “know it when I saw it.”
At CESA I was attracted by the variety of habitats and viewpoints offered by the area, such as forests, wetlands, and ponds. Frogs greet you while you walk on the paths as they hop into the pond. Entering the footpaths, you can choose to venture on soft grassy paths into what appears to be a tunnel with arching trees on either side. It struck me as a magical place.
I was inspired during my initial visits to CESA by the trees and the leaves. Early ideas for my art pieces were taken from photographs of fallen leaves, which I then transferred to copper and sterling silver. I cut out the leaf shapes using a jeweler’s saw and soldered them to a backing to form pendants.
As I continued to explore at CESA, I noticed the tree branches in stark contrast to the sky when I looked up. Several years ago, I learned an enameling technique which uses decals to transfer images to an enameled surface. I decided to use that technique with images from CESA. In this process the image is fired in the kiln and it becomes permanently imprinted on the enamel. I initially used this technique to create pendants and earrings. I have recently challenged myself to think bigger and to create wall pieces using the same technique. I’m now taking the idea further by creating three-dimensional enameled wall hangings using nature photography images from CESA. I am grateful for how nature has inspired me to grow artistically.
Gallery
Bio
From the time I was young I have always had my eye to the ground, looking for interesting rocks and shells. I admire nature’s tumbled glass and sandstones from the beaches of Lake Michigan, as well as beautiful cut stones and natural minerals. I grew up on a lake in southeast Michigan, close to nature and interested in art of all types.
Although for over 30 years I had a corporate career as an electrical engineer and manager, I still gravitated toward the artistic world. Seeking a creative outlet in the early 2000s, I found metalsmithing to be the perfect fit: Technically-based and artfully imagined. I bought my first acetylene torch before even knowing how to operate one, and enrolled in the jewelry program at MATC’s North Campus.
I began taking classes at Terri McCarthy Studios in Grafton in 2005. Since retiring from the corporate world in 2021 I have been able to devote more time and energy to my art. Through the ARTservancy program I have been developing a body of work inspired by time spent at CESA (Cedarburg Environmental Study Area). This work includes both jewelry and small wall pieces.
In addition to regular studio classwork, I have equipped my garage studio with many of the tools required so I can create while not in class.
Education
- 2021 to present: Terri McCarthy Studio, Metalsmithing
- 2005 to 2015: Terri McCarthy Studio, Metalsmithing
- 2004: Milwaukee Area Technical College, Introduction to Metalsmithing
- 1990: Michigan Technological University, Bachelors of Science, Electrical Engineering
Additional Workshop Education
- New Approach School for Jewelers: Stone Setting Comprehensive
- Italy Intensives with Linda Darty: Two-week enameling workshop in Tuscany
- Todd Reed: Fibulas (jewelry form), fabrication techniques
- Todd Reed: Stone setting, working with gold
- Gail Nelson: Surface patinas
- Enameling workshops taught by: Leslie Perrino, Jessica Calderwood, Jan Harrell, Linda Darty, and Gail Nelson
- Bead & Button workshop: Precious metal clay
For more information about Cedarburg Environmental Study Area go to our Find-a-Park page. This residency is sponsored by Ozaukee Washington Land Trust.
Related story:
Andrew Musil: Artist in residence at Cedarburg Environmental Study Area
Additional ARTservancy featured artists at other sites can be found here.
This is the latest in our series of featured artists, which is intended to showcase the work of photographers, artists, writers and other creative individuals in our community whose subjects or themes relate in some broad sense to nature, urban nature, people in nature, etc. To see a list of previously featured artists, click here. The work of the 2022-2023 ARTservancy artists in residence is currently being exhibited monthly at Gallery 224. To meet the other ARTservancy artists in residence, click here.
All images courtesy of the artist, except as noted. The featured photo at the top of Andrea Cole at Cedarburg Environmental Study Area is by Eddee Daniel. Ozaukee Washington Land Trust is a project partner of A Wealth of Nature.