marlene true

What is jewelry? When I was a child, I would delight in exploring my grandmother's jewelry box, and the pieces within that provided a tangible connection to family, most of whom I never met. Looking at old family photos, I could see who came before, but holding something as intimate as a ring or a watch was a tangible connection to consider personal history.

The jewelry I make is a meditative interpretation of nature and place, and both inspire my work. Specific to this body of work are flora and fauna of Key West's tropical climate and expressive vibe. I spend as much time as possible in that place, and my interpretations include secluded pathways and lush gardens filled with a joyful variety, color, patterns and contrasts. I am not trying to recreate what I see as much as the personal experience and connection to that place.