Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Argentieri.
Hi Pamela, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For over three decades my profession has been to work as a jewelry designer and metalsmith and my designs are meant to be an expression of modern beauty. It has never been an easy path but I truly love so many parts of the creative process. My first commission after graduating from art school was to design an evangeliary cover and pair of holy water fonts for a university chapel in my community. With any project, it’s necessary to understand the object, its function, traditions and meaning before coming up with a design. I have grown to value the research and the conversations that take place before picking up that first hammer or piece of metal. Whether I’m working on a piece of jewelry or a teapot, my goal is to make a meaningful object for someone.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest challenges is connecting with the client and various audiences. What type of work do I have a passion for making that also resonates with others. As an artist we want our work to leave the studio and be enjoyed. I share an amazing studio with my husband that has been developed over the years and I always think that we can make just about anything. It’s the interesting people and unique projects that have motivated me when I need a push.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My love of color and pattern is a consistent theme running throughout my work and I incorporate the ancient technique of cloisonné enamel into many of the pieces. Inspiration comes from many places like textiles, furnishings, and most importantly architecture. My father’s architectural drawings encouraged me to learn how to sketch and draft my ideas in a way that allows for a clear understanding of how something is made. I continue to sketch each morning, taking time to record my thoughts and by the afternoon I may be working on a CAD model on my laptop.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
It’s important to always be a student and be open to new experiences and ways of working. What is worth pursuing requires hard work and persistence. Northeast Ohio has a long history of this, sculptors, blacksmiths, silversmiths and designers working in metal, and I am happy to be one of them.
Contact Info:
- Website: pamelaargentieri.com and argentieridesign.com
- Instagram: Pamela Argentieri
- Facebook: Pamela Argentieri
- LinkedIn: Pamela Argentieri
