Jessica Dietz

Bio

I love life’s paradoxes and contradictions that seem to arrive serendipitously in a single moment offering connectivity between subject and material. To the eye, copper is cold and rigid, so we assume it to be inflexible and hard to move or mold. But it is in fact supremely pliable and literally flows and moves as it is cold-worked, becoming almost identical to clay, soft and easily warmed, stretching and bending under pressure.

My interest lies in sharing natures predictable repetitiveness in all it’s changing and unpredictable forms literally and metaphorically. By replicating it’s organic nature on the copper I call my canvas, I am continuously inspired to explore this soft malleable beauty.  

From New England I derived the ability to create fine handcrafted copper weathervanes and brought this art form back to my native Methow home town. Through over a decade of crafting copper sheets into carefully constructed rooftop art, I’ve developed a style often recognized for the fantastical decorative repousse’ designs influenced both by nature and creatures of myth and mystery. From elegant birds of prey, to fanciful fairies and mysterious sea creatures, I hold true the honest construction ‘by hammer and hand’. My work revolves primarily around nature, and the magical mysteries of it’s beauty Is what I feel compelled to recreate.

 The quality of construction of the copper pieces, it’s durability and the range of objects and designs I create are a lasting joy and heritage to the owners of my work.  My style is reflected in the careful choice of embellishments I use when creating a piece. From traditional uses of patina and karat gold leaf I’ve added multicolor combinations of metal infused paints and metal leaf. Recently I’ve discovered a fondness of re-purposing copper for selected figures, adorning them with found objects or ‘gifts’ for further detail. Gifts such as discarded enameled copper have become jewels for a wall relief sculpture or bird weathervanes are given artistic glass eyes and cast talons. Innovative use of materials enables me to better capture the character of a subject.

Professionally I’ve enjoyed a full spectrum of commission work for individuals and businesses throughout the country. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with art groups and teaching metal work classes to children. Please take a moment to check out the online gallery and possibly an exhibit of my current work listed below. I’m always willing to work with you on a custom piece and am currently available for commissions.

Jessica works and resides on the river in Winthrop located near the entrance of the scenic North Cascades loop mountain pass.

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Exhibits:
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About: An Exploration of  on artistic copper repousse` work by Jessica Dietz. Nature and Art Nouveau inspired designs combined with organic form and classic metalwork.
Dates: Beginning April 21st thru May26th

Location: Mr. J’s Barber Shop 125 W 2nd ave. Suite A in Twisp WA.

Wenatchee Art On The Avenues:

About: A yearlong outdoor art exhibit in Wenatchee featuring Art on the Avenues and the city of Wenatchee collection pieces. 

Dates: From 2011 thru 2014

Location: All around downtown and the Columbia river loop trail in Wenatchee WA.

Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/WeathervaneArtistry