Botanical Arts
The Artists Path | Section A | Botanical Jewelry
Class 1
From the Fish Pond
Create a brooch depicting a small fish, to be displayed on a black background.
Fish should not exceed 3 1/2” in length.
Eight entries
Kristina Kramer
Garden Club of Palm Beach
“A beautifully constructed & dramatic wearable brooch masterfully painted that reels in all the elements & principles of design. ”
Sarah Boynton
Cohasset Garden Club
“A design of pristine components with an exciting variety of textures.”
“Rhythm appears static due to the brooch’s vertical position on the mount. (viewed from the right side the design appears much more rhythmic.)
Becky Martin
The Gertrude Windsor Garden Club
“The Chinese believe my memory is too short, but they treasure my beauty and the wonders that I can do for fertility, marriage and prosperity”
“There is excellent craftsmanship with a depth of color created by the varied shades of gold paint.”
“While this broach has ample depth and dimension the tail fin is slightly out of proportion to the rest f the design.”
Marta Nelson
The Garden Club of Norfolk
“The goldfish with the ruby eyes, As I scurried along the pathway to the fish pond, my pocket full of crisps, I knew she was waiting, the fish with the ruby eyes.”
“The eyes & mouth are well constructed and the feather thin fins provide flowing rhythm.”
“The slight tears in the fins affect the distinction of the overall design.”
Robin Shachat
Shaker Lakes Garden Club
“Betta Splendens
Assassins in the aquarium, bettas are noted for their luxurious, flowing fins and tails. This one is silver gilt with inset onyx beads.”
“The choice and placement of the textured dusty miller successfully gives the illusion of movement of the beta fish fins. A more refined approach to the construction of the head would improve distinction .”
Janice Panoff
South Country Garden Club
“Her husband commissioned this brooch as an anniversary gift, celebrating their Caribbean honeymoon. He said, “you had me from the start…hook line and sinker!”
“The scale and proportion of your well-chosen components successfully represent a swordfish.
“The lack of contrasting elements in the body of the fish diminishes the overall depth and dimension”
Barbara Geltosky
The Portland Garden Club
“A whimsical interpretation of the assignment.”
“Creativity is adversely affected by the segmented components. (Bubbles, face, fins, scales & tale) leading to a design that lacks cohesion.”
Gail Atwater
Garden Club of Honolulu
“The choice of varied plant material is very effective and is to be commended.”
“Without knowing the fish that this broach interprets the head visually appears to be out of proportion to the body”