Leigh Ann Prier - Artist's Statement
As a little girl, I could always be found sitting quietly somewhere working on an art project. I drove my mom crazy spilling glue on the carpet and acetone on the dining room table. I spent countless hours bouncing from one project to the next, never able to focus on just one thing. I didn't care if I was cutting and pasting a collage, weaving a potholder, making a pencil cup from clay or stringing beads. I just wanted to make art!
I've pursued many art forms over the years from sewing to photography to ceramics to glass but, I have found my true passion through metalwork and jewelry making. The art of jewelry making allows me to mix things up and stay energized with fresh ideas. I can draw inspiration from all the things I love most in life: beautiful organic forms found in nature, fashion, music, the written word, emotions, other cultures even dreams. Whatever the inspiration may be, I can combine it with metal to create wearable fine art jewelry.
I've pursued many art forms over the years from sewing to photography to ceramics to glass but, I have found my true passion through metalwork and jewelry making. The art of jewelry making allows me to mix things up and stay energized with fresh ideas. I can draw inspiration from all the things I love most in life: beautiful organic forms found in nature, fashion, music, the written word, emotions, other cultures even dreams. Whatever the inspiration may be, I can combine it with metal to create wearable fine art jewelry.
Bio
I was born and raised in the Kansas City area. My formal education and background is in Interior Design and I work full time as an Interior Designer now. While in college, I studied two of my other great loves, photography and ceramics. I have received formal education in metalsmithing through Johnson County Community College and have studied under the guidance of many highly respected jewelers in the field.
In 2004 my life forever changed when I met Sondra Busch, a Senior Instructor for Precious Metal Clay (PMC). The idea that I could literally sculpt something from a clay-like substance and have it end up as a solid piece of metal blew my mind! Since then I have traveled all over the country to learn from the top Artists in the field of metal clay. Using metal as a foundation for my work allows me to incorporate other mediums such as ceramics, fused glass, enamel, resin, polymer clay, fibers, paper and found objects.
In 2004 my life forever changed when I met Sondra Busch, a Senior Instructor for Precious Metal Clay (PMC). The idea that I could literally sculpt something from a clay-like substance and have it end up as a solid piece of metal blew my mind! Since then I have traveled all over the country to learn from the top Artists in the field of metal clay. Using metal as a foundation for my work allows me to incorporate other mediums such as ceramics, fused glass, enamel, resin, polymer clay, fibers, paper and found objects.
Resume
**Level 4 Certified Precious Metal Clay Artisan & Instructor: PMC Connection, certified by Sondra Busch
**Rio Rewards Certified Precious Metal Clay Artisan & Instructor: Rio Grande, certified by Patrik Kusek
**Advanced studies in Precious Metal Clay including advanced construction techniques under the guidance of: Celie Fago, CeCe Wire, Hattie Sanderson, Sherry Fotopoulos & Vera Lightstone
**Advanced studies in Bronze & Copper Clay under the guidance of Patrik Kusek
**Advanced studies in Bronze, Copper, White Bronze, Rose Bronze & Steel Clay under the guidance of Hadar Jacobson
**Metalsmithing & Fabrication: Johnson County Community College and under the guidance of Carol Harder & Susan Lenart Kazmer
**Studies in Polymer Clay under the guidance of Nan Roche & Ronna Sarvas Weltman
Memberships
Kansas City Artist's Coalition
International PMC Guild
Founder of Kansas City Chapter of the PMC Guild
**Rio Rewards Certified Precious Metal Clay Artisan & Instructor: Rio Grande, certified by Patrik Kusek
**Advanced studies in Precious Metal Clay including advanced construction techniques under the guidance of: Celie Fago, CeCe Wire, Hattie Sanderson, Sherry Fotopoulos & Vera Lightstone
**Advanced studies in Bronze & Copper Clay under the guidance of Patrik Kusek
**Advanced studies in Bronze, Copper, White Bronze, Rose Bronze & Steel Clay under the guidance of Hadar Jacobson
**Metalsmithing & Fabrication: Johnson County Community College and under the guidance of Carol Harder & Susan Lenart Kazmer
**Studies in Polymer Clay under the guidance of Nan Roche & Ronna Sarvas Weltman
Memberships
Kansas City Artist's Coalition
International PMC Guild
Founder of Kansas City Chapter of the PMC Guild