Meet the Artist, Ruly Deen

History and Education

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was raised in the Boston area, and studied jewelry making at an early age. I took my first class at age twelve, and pursued metalsmithing on my own through high school. I went to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia to earn my BFA. 

While I was in school, I worked  on Jewelers' Row in Philadelphia to earn money for living expenses. I was lucky enough to be part of several trade shops that employed craftsmen from Europe. I learned as much from them as I did in school.

 

Coast to Coast Change


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After more than a decade in traditional jewelry making, including a few years as head model maker for a large company in Florida, I moved across the country to the Inland Northwest, and began to pursue life as an independent artist.

The beautiful environment here had an immediate effect on me. I was inspired by the connection of earth and water in the Spokane area, where I now live. Although I will always be grateful for the opportunities I had on the East Coast, in the Inland Northwest, I feel that I am home at last. 

 

Artist Concepts


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am fascinated with visual imagery and hidden symbolism. The glyphs and markings of long ago resonate with spiritual qualities. This is where my work lives, in the hidden places of the soul. 

I call my style Symbolic Landscape. I try to reflect inherent peace and comfort of the natural world and add symbols that spark some ancient recognition. The symbols have no immediate explanation, but find expression in our shared collective memories. 

 

Design Process

I am constantly watching light, trying to understand shadow and form. The astonishing beauty of nature captures my attention. 

As I try to record the magic of the elemental world, I weave symbols into the landscapes. They become emotional environments in charcoal and graphite, my own personal lexicon and history.

 

Technical Process

My miniature carvings in hard green wax become solid sterling silver using the alchemy of lost wax casting. Each carving is mounted to a wax tree on a rubber base, then gets a special plaster poured into a steel flask which cures around the carving. The embedded wax is melted out  in a kiln and leaves a negative impression for the silver to fill.

The metal is heated to around 1780 degrees and when it is liquid, vacuum pressure draws it down into the negative space of the carving. Once cooled, the plaster is broken away and the casting revealed. Then a multi-stage process begins to remove the casting gates, called sprues, and clean, sand and finish up the item.

This complex process involves more than 30 steps.

 

Custom Work

One of the most rewarding places to use my Symbolic Landscape style is creating custom pieces for individual clients. This process allows me to spend time with specific people and help them express their individual stories with a wearable piece of art. I work with people intimately, finding ways to transform their own emotional landscapes into a highly personal heirlooms.

To discuss your own project and receive a free design questionnaire, email me at silverelementjewelry@gmail.com.

 

Location

I have a seasonal showroom in the Kendall Yards District of downtown Spokane. In this beautiful little space I offer my art jewelry during special events and numerous holidays.

The Studio, as I like to call it, is also where I meet clients for consultation on one-of a kind pieces. In addition, I host several workshops on symbolic systems, such as Runes and Chakras. I hope to add classes in jewelry-making in the near future.