Luscious Materiality

Jo Lauria

“develop organically, in a natural state,

or more than four decades, California artist on intimate scale, the most dramatic engagement with Randy Stromsoe has created seductive, exquisitely materials and greatest freedom with form; Stromsoe Fhandformed jewelry that demonstrates his is at his most nuanced and boldly imaginative when modernist aesthetic of elemental forms, fluid geometries designing ornament for the body. and formal elegance. Stromsoe’s designs arise from Stromsoe’s path along the metalsmithing journey can his vast knowledge of jewelry traditions and from be characterized as a series of serendipitous occurrences. learning what his hands and tools can do in unison. He was first introduced to jewelry instruction in a crafts After working forty years at the bench, Stromsoe has workshop class at Los Angeles Valley College taught by attained the level of master craftsman in hollowware, Zella Margraff. Stromsoe enrolled believing it was flatware and jewelry. He can work with precision in a class where he could learn furniture-making and silver, gold, copper, and pewter, and has mastered woodcarving. Initially “devastated” when he realized he other techniques used in jewelry fabrication, including had been misplaced in a jewelry/metals class, Stromsoe the lapidary processes of stonecutting and setting, and soon discovered that Margraff was a “fascinating teacher woodturning and carving. Having worked in forms as who had a rich life as an artist designing and creating art large as presentation trophies and liturgical chalices, jewelry.” Margraff was a European-trained jeweler Stromsoe knows how to make metal follow his exacting whose work was internationally recognized. The focus of

38 ORNAMENT 37.3.2014 commands. But it is in the jewelry that one can see, her class was to teach jewelry fabrication techniques, as

337_3_Randy7_3_Randy Stromsoe-9.inddStromsoe-9.indd 3838 66/5/14/5/14 112:442:44 PMPM HAMMER RACKS / STROMSOE DESIGN STUDIO, Spring 2014. Photograph by Sean Stromsoe.

without being rushed, without taking shortcuts.”

well as the history and appreciation of contemporary Stromsoe’s memory, it was during that fated field trip jewelry to both beginning and advanced students. that the distinguished Blanchard gathered all the Stromsoe had a natural gift with orchestrating the students in his workshop and inquired if any of the movements and flow of hammer, saw and solder, and he young men would like to try their hand at raising silver. began to love metalsmithing. (Stromsoe was nineteen years old, and Blanchard was Margraff was Stromsoe’s initial link in the chain that eighty-three years old at the time.) With hammer in brought him closer to his avocation as she was the first hand, Stromsoe remembers that he struck a few well- to acknowledge his talent—as evinced in the placed blows on the sheet of silver, and that Blanchard craftsmanship he demonstrated in the first class project seemed excited by his skill. In fact, so impressed was of a ring—and encouraged him to follow this path. Blanchard that he asked Stromsoe to return the Stromsoe enrolled in Margraff’s class for three following week to begin work as his apprentice. And so semesters, progressing through the levels from beginner begin Stromsoe’s apprenticeship in 1970 working at the to advanced. Furthermore, Margraff was responsible for side of Porter Blanchard, helping to fill large orders of introducing Stromsoe to the revered silversmith Porter handcrafted production tableware and presentation Blanchard on the occasion of a class field trip to pieces for both private clients and prestigious retail Blanchard’s workshop, a metalsmithing business stores. Ornate gold and silver fish platters, tea and coffee

modeled after an arts and crafts studio. As is etched in sets, caviar dishes, gold trophy racing cups, and 39 ORNAMENT 37.3.2014

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ceremonial monstrances were some of the more challenging orders executed by the Blanchard studio. At night, Stromsoe would work on his own jewelry designs, as the Blanchard studio did not create jewelry for either private commissions or retail stores. Stromsoe found that the same techniques he was using during the day to shape hollowware—forging, file carving, repoussé, and chasing—could be translated into jewelrymaking. Stromsoe improved his hammer techniques and perfected his proficiency in forging, and successfully adapted these skills to craft expressive jewelry forms. The same handskills required to forge a fork could start the bend in a bracelet, and the fluid, lyrical movements that produced hollow spouts and handles could be repeated to shape sculptural dimensions in neckpieces and collars. Although there were other directions in the arts that Stromsoe could have taken, he chose to stay the course as first outlined by Magraff—to map his territory in the metalsmithing field and develop a signature line of jewelry. As Porter advanced in age and his health failed, Stromsoe assumed more responsibilities in the Blanchard studio and worked even more intensely with Porter. On an intellectual level, Stromsoe would deliberate with Porter on ways to streamline studio practices to make handcrafting production more efficient; and on a physical level, Stromsoe would assist Blanchard in raising silver for large pieces, prompting

DECO RING of sterling silver, ebony; constructed, SANTA FE SUNRISE BANGLE of sterling silver; handforged, chased and file carved; 3.81 x 3.18 centimeters, 2013. file carved; 8.3 centimeters diameter. Photographs by Ron Bez unless noted otherwise. 40 ORNAMENT 37.3.2014

337_3_Randy7_3_Randy Stromsoe-9.inddStromsoe-9.indd 4040 66/5/14/5/14 112:442:44 PMPM Porter’s praise, “Two minds with a single thought, used by his mentor, including the hammer and anvil working in syncopation.” However, Stromsoe’s that belonged to Porter’s father, the legendary arts and mentorship ended in 1973 when Porter passed away and crafts silversmith George Porter Blanchard. the shop was transferred to his son- It was a life-changing in-law, Lewis Wise, who, after two experience when Stromsoe moved years retired and sold the business from Los Angeles to the Central to a group of investors. The Coast of California to establish his business entity that became Porter own studio in 1980. The first Blanchard Silversmith’s Inc. location in which Stromsoe settled eventually closed in 1993. was the coastal city of Cambria Stromsoe had remained with the where he became known as the Blanchard studio during its many area’s premiere metalsmith. For transformations, first learning to twenty years Stromsoe specialized forge flatware and then working in in making custom wedding rings, the capacity of the shop’s including a set for himself and his superintendent until Stromsoe wife Lisa when they married in decided to leave in 1980 due to a 1981. The Stromsoes became very change in artistic direction. entrenched in the community, as LEAF RING of ebony and sterling silver; constructed, Sometime after the ultimate demise carved, 6.99 x 5.4 x 3.18 centimeters, 2011. Lisa co-owned and managed the of the business, Stromsoe was Quicksilver Gallery, representing offered the opportunity to buy the metalsmithing tools over a hundred artists from all craft disciplines. But in that belonged to the original studio of Porter Blanchard. 1999 a purchase of a modest ranch near Paso Robles Stromsoe felt very strongly that it was important to presented the optimal location to build a combined “preserve the history of the tools.” These hollowware workshop and home. All energies were focused on and flatware tools now form the core of his own studio converting the dilapidated barn into an upstairs living equipment, and Stromose says he is “humbled and space (the family had grown with the arrival of two appreciative” when he looks around his studio and children), a fully functioning workshop downstairs, a realizes he owns the same handmade tools that were vineyard, orchard and organic garden. This is now the

SUNDIAL RING of sterling silver and peridot; 3.2 HUG RING of constructive sterling silver and handcut centimeters diameter, 2014. turquoise; 4.45 x 3.18 centimeters, 2014. 41 ORNAMENT 37.3.2014

337_3_Randy7_3_Randy Stromsoe-9.inddStromsoe-9.indd 4141 66/5/14/5/14 112:442:44 PMPM LOW TIDE RING of sterling silver and handcut turquoise; CENTER TWIST COLLAR of sterling silver; handforged, constructed, chased and file carved; 3.5 x 2.54 anticlastic; 14 x 16.5 centimeters, 2014. centimeters, 2013.

destination of the Stromsoe Studio, a workshop staffed sterling column with the center opening becomes a by two: Randy designs, handcrafts and finishes every miniature freestanding totem with stylized floral finial, piece, and Lisa, who has assumed the role of studio and when the abstracted ebony finial is raised, a hidden manager, handles all daily operations. compartment beneath is revealed, presumably to Classically trained as a metalsmith in the arts and contain a secret substance. With this ring, Stromsoe crafts tradition has taught Stromsoe a commitment to demonstrates the synergistic mixture of a contemporary technical excellence, but for inspiration, he draws from visual language with a traditional inflection, reaffirming the wells of various streams. Stromsoe’s intellectual one of his long-held beliefs, that jewelry should reflect curiosity and his passion to originate designs lead him its time while also honoring history. to a wide range of source materials. He may look to Ways in which Stromsoe strives to make his jewelry information derived from art and design research or a distinctive are by creating pieces that echo his own direct connection to nature and contemporary culture passions and personal aesthetics, which, by his own for the spark that ignites his creativity when he sits at assessment, is a blending of the Bauhaus, Arts and Crafts the bench. Consider Stromsoe’s Poison Ring: he creates and Scandinavian Modern movements. The compelling a contemporary form that acknowledges the past points of tension that Stromsoe constructs within the tradition of poison rings while making a relevant and design can identify one of his branded jewelry styles. dramatic statement of the present by crafting an Exemplar are the pieces Center Twist Collar, Side Twist abstract, progressive design. Vessel rings, a category Neckpiece, and the cuff Taffy Pull where the silver is to which poison rings belong, originated in Asia coaxed into sinuous acrobatic bends and twists that and India and are classified as having a hidden stretch and torque the metal in ways that belie its compartment under a raised stone. In this material properties. Other common traits of Stromsoe compartment, a substance can be stored—and jewelry are geometric refinement and elegant simplicity; released—when the stone is lifted. Stromsoe’s Poison pieces are reduced to their most essential forms. Circles,

42 ORNAMENT 37.3.2014 Ring is both sculpture and container; the file-carved triangles, circles within triangles, circles intersected by

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this mastercraftsman areintendedto beongoing, 2013, andthese sessionsofpersonalinstruction with studio. Thefirstgroupof studentsarrivedinFall a seriesofworkshopsheis personallyteachingathis is passingonhisknowledge ofsilversmithingthrough for thegiftheconsiders hasbeengiven,Stromsoe the materialstillfeels“relevant andfresh.”Inreturn anvil, torchandstake,Stromsoe’sengagementwith flawless, andthejewelryisassuredlywearable. studio, thedesignisresolved,craftsmanship shortcuts.” Whenapieceofjewelrydoesleavethe natural state,withoutbeingrushed,taking time. Hewantstheconceptto“developorganically,in a months, sometimesforyears,asherefinesthemover trials. Stromsoemayplaywithdesignconceptsfor is stamped tactility, strengthandcomfort.Beforeanyjewelrypiece design mustbeevaluatedandperfectedforvisualappeal, volume, weightandscale.Intheprocess,whole manipulates alongwiththesculpturalconsiderationsof the geometricshapesandvaryingtexturesthatStromsoe against thin,texturedsurfacessmooth;theseare rods, andcirclesboundedbychannels;wideangles S t r o m After fourdecadesofworkingwithhammerand s o e centimeters diameter,2012. KELP CUFF - 9 . i n d d

R. Stromsoe

4 3 of sterlingsilver;handforged,filecarved;7.9 ithasbeenthroughmanydesign Vidor, Michael. SUGGESTED READING greatest dramaticeffect. been oneofthegeometricformshehasusedto that suitsRandyStromsoejustfine,ascircleshave was openedforhimbymentorPorterBlanchard.And metalsmithing, andtherebycompletingthecirclethat the artsandcraftstraditionofhandcrafted Stromsoe believesheiscontinuingtheteachingsof and areverenceforthehandmade.Insodoing, lessons aretaughtwithanemphasisonhammerskills forging techniquesforflatwareandjewelry.All basic-to-advanced forging,andconstruction vessel forming,repoussé,chasing,anti-clasticraising, had aworkstation.Stromsoeoffersintensetrainingin individual jeweler’sbenchessothateachparticipant for theworkshops,Stromsoedesignedandbuilt offered threeorfourtimesperyear.Inpreparation “Illuminations.” Monroe, MichaelW. stromse-16093. http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/interviews/oral-history-interview-randy-james- 2013, ArchivesofAmerican Art,SmithsonianInstitution,conducted byJoLauria. Citation forallquotes: OralhistoryinterviewwithRandyStromsoe, June4-6, Stapleton, Constance. 2005: 27-34. Harry N.Abrams,Inc.,1995. file carved,4.45x2.54centimeters,2013. POISON RING “FeelingRandy:ArtistonTop.” Western ArtandArchitecture,

The WhiteHouseCollectionofAmericanCrafts, CraftsofAmerica,NewYork,NY:Harper &Row,1988. of sterling silver, ebony; constructed, chased, of sterlingsilver,ebony;constructed,chased, April/May2014:46-47. Central CoastMagazine, NewYork,NY: Jan/Feb 66/5/14 12:44PM / 5 / 1 4

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