andrew cooperman interview

March 8, 2009 at 5:20 am (Interesting Thingies)

What a great time I have looking (translation drooling) at Andy Cooperman’s art jewelry. I’ve seen his work in numerous places and I was definitely a fan the very first time I saw his amazing work!!! I ran across him again on the Crafthaus Ning group and found a new favorite piece.

How gorgeous is THIS!!!

SCYLLA “Named for the mythic sea monster whose multiple rows of teeth devoured Odyseuss’s men. The challenge of this piece was to build an environment around the sharp but fragile “teeth” that would allow the brooch to be worn while still allowing a curious finger to explore. The piece is rendered safe but not truly disabled”

I knew I wanted to feature this piece on my blog and then I said to my self, “Self, there are lots of people who may not have had to good fortune to have seen Andy’s work before and consequently may not know that much about him so why don’t you ask him if he would be willing to do an interview”

Andy was kind enough to send me wonderful hi res photos of my favorites along with some of his favs. Hooray!

If you like this interview and let me know that you do then I will seek out awesome artists~ especially those you may not be familiar with~ and do more interviews.

Oh and I do apologize for the wonky captions on some of the images. It is a WordPress thing and I wasn’t able to get them to look right no matter what I did. So just for today let’s pretend that the Emperor has on clothes and that the captions look normal. hehehe

Here is what Andy had to say with some of his beautiful creations sprinkled in for good measure. . .

: St. Patrick’s Reliquary

How did you happen to become an artist?

I can’t dance or sing, I never understood business very well and I was not focused enough to go into medicine. The urge to make pretty much sealed my fate. I had a mother who was a teacher, wrote and painted and a father who was an engineer. I didn’t stand a chance.

From who or where do you draw inspiration?

So many things get me going. Curiosity is the energizing force. I don’t work in a traditional narrative way very often. I believe that people intuitively respond to surfaces, structures and gesture in a cross cultural, universal way. I guess I’m a Modernist at heart…

Bloesfeldt brooch

What resources would you recommend for readers who want to begin learning metalsmithing?

Now is a wonderful time to start learning. The web presents so many tools: videos, list serves and bulletin boards. Digital photography and scanning. Add that to the traditional paths of classes and workshops. Check out Orchid at Ganoksin.com. Take a beginning class, set up a little space where you can work and try things over and over. The beauty of small scale work is that you can do it in very small spaces and try many things quickly.

What advice for those who would like to advance their skills in metalsmithing?

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and stop thinking in such a linear fashion. So many of the texts involved in the field present information a linear and rote fashion. People become so locked in….

Sargasso fish server ~ part of a collection in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Do you have a favorite piece or pieces that you’ve made?

One or two. I really like “Ferro” and “Bauble”…

Ferro

Bauble

What are you most proud of?

My ability to make, my ability to teach and the fact that I have been married for almost 25 years.
Also, the fact that I figured out how to make all this work...

Do you have any online haunts besides your web site?

Crafthaus, Flickr….

What are your favorite techniques and/or materials to work with?

I fabricate mostly and use a lot of bronze which is a wonderful material with a long history and positive associations. It is not often thought of as fine jewelry material. I like this counter-intuitivity. I very much like working hot— forging, hot forming.

Where can your work be found?

At de Novo Gallery in Palo Alto, CA., Velvet da Vinci Gallery, San Fransisco and Patina Gallery in Santa Fe. I have really cut back on galleries. I always bring work when I teach and have had very good success selling work there. It is nice to meet people face to face and see their reaction to the work. “Sargasso” is in the V and A in London. People sometimes find my work on my website: andycooperman.com or coopermanjewelry.com.

Bling

Do you teach any workshops?

Yes, more and more these days. Teaching is in my blood and I have been teaching workshops out of state since 1994. For the past 3 years I have been on the road almost once a month. As the economy turned I became more reluctant to pass up any opportunity up to generate income. And workshops have come present another marketing opportunity.

But teaching can never become about selling work. They are two different things and you must ALWAYS remember that.

Has the current economy affected how you run your business? How much of an impact is that having on artists and art related businesses that you know?

Of course, jewelry is a highly impacted medium when the economy is in trouble. For those who use precious materials, costs go up and the amount of work purchased goes down. Even if they have no problem affording work, during down times clients and collectors can be reluctant to put things on their body —or even in their home— that might somehow be construed as being ostentatious and insensitive.

Many colleagues are singing the blues. But for some reason, the volume of my commission work has been busier than ever the last couple of months. Mostly rings…

Vespa

Do you do any collaborative work with other artists?

No… But I am not opposed to the idea. I have taught collaboratively on the university level for two years and I found it to be tough but incredibly rewarding. We team taught and often had 3 instructors sitting at critiques. I got more than I gave.

You write very well and are featured in numerous publications– any plans to write a book of your own?

Oh yes! Funny you should ask… I am picking away at it very, very slowly. I have been speaking about it for the last 3 years or so and people keep asking when it will be finished. I still have to really start it in earnest. But it has been in the front of my mind for the last year. It is a priority— even has a name. I even have a folder marked “BOOK” on the desktops of my iMac and my laptop. (Capital letters seem so urgent and serious….). There’s even documents in the folders.

The book is basically a longer exploration of a workshop that I have been teaching for about 7 years. This class has morphed over the years from a technical based workshop into one grounded more in the philosophy of making, problem solving with a goal of allowing participants to approach their work in a more intuitive manner. As the workshop has evolved, so has my conception of the book.

Thanks for the kind words about my writing. This question couldn’t have been more timely.

How do you see your work evolving?

Again, a timely question. I am feeling the need to make changes right now. I am looking at different materials, seeing what resonates. Looking, maybe, beyond jewelry.

I just posted images on Crafthaus of new work that I completed for an exhibition at the Wood Turning Center in Philadelphia. The theme of the exhibition is wine stoppers. So I built 4 pieces. A functional stopper and a functional corks screw and two humorous pieces. I really enjoyed the change in parameter and the difference in functionality. It was refreshing. (I snapped the images myself in a hurry: I’m afraid they are not very good….)

<Kerin sez~ Actually I wouldn’t have known Andy took those photos in a rush. The corkscrews are GREAT by the way!!! >

———————————————– That’s all folks! ——————————–

Thanks so much, Andy!!! This was a lot of fun and I appreciate being able to learn more about you and your work.

Kerin

36 Comments

andy said,

March 8, 2009 at 4:10 pm

Hi Kerin, This was a lot of fun. It’s so good tho think about these things. thanks for the interview!, Andy

Reply
- remnants said,
  
  March 8, 2009 at 7:00 pm
  
  Hi Andy! I love to feature other artist’s work on my blog. But this was my first interview and it was great fun for me also!! Thanks again!!!
  
  Reply
Harriete Estel Berman said,

March 8, 2009 at 5:31 pm

I enjoyed reading the article about Andy Cooperman very much. Even though I have been working with Andy for years on the Professional Guidelines [http://www.harriete-estel-berman.info/profguidelines/profguide.html ] and the Professional Development Seminar [http://www.harriete-estel-berman.info/profguidelines/PDS.html ] always learn something new.

Thanks for the article.
Harriete Estel Berman
http://www.harriete-estel-berman.info

Reply
- remnants said,
  
  March 9, 2009 at 2:01 pm
  
  Thanks Harriette! I’m honored that you stopped by. I’m a big fan of yours also.
  
  And I love it that you are in San Mateo as I grew up there. I have a great fondness for Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz and the experience of spending so much time at the beach greatly influences my work to this day.
  
  Reply
Alicia said,

March 8, 2009 at 7:02 pm

wow, your work is amazing, andy! i just spent a large amount of time drooling over these photos as well as the ones on your site. my favorites are bloesfeldt brooch, bling and medusa. and rosemary’s bishop.

thanks so much, kerin! this is a great interview and i’m so glad you’ve introduced andy to those of us who were not fortunate enough to have found him before now.

Reply
- remnants said,
  
  March 9, 2009 at 2:08 pm
  
  Hooray! Yet another member of the Andy Cooperman fan club. : ) I don’t remember seeing one called ‘Medusa’. I’ll have to go back and look. I’ll bet I love it since you do.
  
  Thanks so much Alicia!!!
  
  Reply
sue said,

March 8, 2009 at 8:59 pm

Oh My! Thank you so much Kerin for featuring this incredibly talented man! I drooled along with you
viewing Andy’s work. I also highly enjoyed the interview -
great questions and insightful answers. Wonderful way
to spend my coffee break this afternoon!

Reply
- remnants said,
  
  March 9, 2009 at 2:10 pm
  
  Yeah I probably should have put a link in there to a napkin site at the top of the post. It is difficult to not drool when looking at such exquisite works isn’t it!!!
  
  I’m thrilled you liked the interview so much Sue!
  
  Reply
Lisa Jurist said,

March 8, 2009 at 9:02 pm

I am totally speechless.. what superb, talented, unique works of art! wow….

Reply
- remnants said,
  
  March 9, 2009 at 2:11 pm
  
  And to think he’s coming out with a book!! I will definitely snatch that up as soon as it becomes available. Yum!!!
  
  Reply
DebbieM said,

March 8, 2009 at 11:19 pm

I really enjoyed the interview and had never heard of this artist before, but love his work! I hope you continue to feature interviews on your blog.Thanks!

Reply
- remnants said,
  
  March 9, 2009 at 2:13 pm
  
  Thanks so much Debbie!! Your wish is my command!!! I’ll just keep my fingers crossed that you won’t ask me to hop around on one foot while clucking like a chicken. ; )
  
  Reply
Jean Van Brederode said,

March 9, 2009 at 2:05 am

Thanks, Kerin, for introducing us to the talented Andy Cooperman! Your interviewing skills are superb :~) More, please!

Reply
- remnants said,
  
  March 9, 2009 at 2:15 pm
  
  Hello Enamel Goddess!
  
  Thanks so much Jean!! OK, I’m working on it. I actually have someone else lined up already so hush hush it’s just between you and me . . . and whoever else reads this comment of course!
  
  Reply
andy said,

March 9, 2009 at 3:39 pm

Thanks to everyone for their kind words about my work and the interview. I’m looking forward to the next artist featured.
Off to Alaska!

Andy

Reply
Chris Hanson said,

March 10, 2009 at 3:06 am

Andy,

Looking forward to your workshop in Alaska. Your work and writing is inspiring.

Chris

Reply
- remnants said,
  
  March 12, 2009 at 3:03 am
  
  Hi Chris!
  
  Thanks for stopping by!
  
  Kerin
  
  Reply
Francesca said,

March 10, 2009 at 4:11 am

Very interesting interview!
Andy Cooperman is a teacher I want in my cv, I was going to take a class this summer, but I just learned I can’t and it is good to know that he teaches so often!

Reply
- remnants said,
  
  March 10, 2009 at 4:32 am
  
  Thanks for stopping by Francesca and I’m ever so glad you liked the interview. I’m definitely with you! I’d love to take one of his workshops. ; )
  
  Kerin
  
  Reply
Hilary Pfeifer said,

March 11, 2009 at 11:15 am

Great interview–keep it up! Thanks for letting the Crafthaus community know….

Reply
- remnants said,
  
  March 12, 2009 at 3:07 am
  
  Hi Hilary~
  
  Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words.
  
  I’m really glad I joined Crafthaus. It is a great group and it looks like from the referring links going there they may be getting some new members as a result of this interview.
  
  Kerin
  
  Reply
Lora Hart said,

March 11, 2009 at 2:12 pm

Thanks so much for thinking to do this interview. I love Andy’s work and really enjoyed getting to “know” him better. I certainly DO hope you do more of these interviews. And I’d love to read one with Eric Silva. http://www.ercisilva.com

Reply
- remnants said,
  
  March 12, 2009 at 4:37 am
  
  Hi Lora!
  
  OK, your wish is my command!!! I wrote an email to Eric this morning and if he is willing I will definitely interview him. I’m a fan of his also so thanks for the suggestion!
  
  Kerin
  
  Reply
Judy Willingham said,

March 11, 2009 at 5:37 pm

What a good idea! We all get a more personal view of Andy. Good job, Kerin. If you’re looking for your next artist interview, may I suggest Judy Hoch who now lives in Salida, CO. She wrote the book on tumbling for mass finishing – an excellent reference. Her ancestry is Swedish, she has a degree in engineering and Judy is a character! You’d enjoy visiting with her; website is Cool jewelry!
Judy (no relationship other than friend and admirer)

Reply
- remnants said,
  
  March 12, 2009 at 4:41 am
  
  Hi Judy!
  
  I’d love to see Judy’s work and make contact about an interview but the link didn’t come through in your comment. Will you please email it to me and I will follow up with her?
  
  Thanks very much for commenting on this interview with Andy.
  
  Kerin
  
  Reply
  - remnants said,
    
    March 12, 2009 at 2:29 pm
    
    Judy Willingham sent me this updated web site for her.
    
    http://www.marstal.com
    
    Thanks Judy!
    
    Reply
d. marie henderson said,

March 12, 2009 at 2:57 am

Nice work, Kerin — you asked some great questions! I was fortunate to meet Andy and attend one of his workshops at Revere Academy — he is a great teacher and talented metalsmith.

I look forward to reading your next post,

~d.

Reply
- remnants said,
  
  March 12, 2009 at 4:43 am
  
  Wow that sounds like such a great experience. How fortunate you were to be there and learn first hand!
  
  Thanks so much for your interest in my blog. I hope I don’t disappoint!
  
  Kerin
  
  Reply
christine said,

March 12, 2009 at 4:33 am

Hi Kerin,

Great Job! Its nice to see you are out there taking the time to interview other artists. It is definately needed. I cant wait to read more interviews.

Christine

Reply
- remnants said,
  
  March 12, 2009 at 4:48 am
  
  Thanks Christine!
  
  I get such a good feeling from things such as this so I’ve featured many artists on my blog although this is the first interview. It is so fun to do this I think I will always do interviews rather than just features from now on.
  
  I feel so strongly about supporting each other as artists that I’m launching a mixed media art site that is all about supporting and encouraging each other to do amazing things with our art and to follow our dreams.
  
  Reply
Interview with Andy Cooperman | Jewelry Shop Talk said,

March 24, 2009 at 10:20 pm

[...] great interview with one of own instructors, Andy Cooperman is posted by Remnants of Olde. The interview is filled with amazing hi-res photos of Andy’s work – be sure to check it [...]

Reply
Brandon Holschuh said,

March 26, 2009 at 1:46 pm

Excellent Text. I Just happened to to be checking on availibilty of the Cooperman session at Haystack this summer, doing some research on Andy’s work and found this posting. This is an exceptional interview. Kerin’s questions are well presented and gave the online audience the opportunity to really meet Andy (without a handshake of course). Thank you for this, and I look forward to reading your next choice of artist(s).

Sincerely,
Brandon Holschuh
Author; “The Jeweler’s Studio Handbook” (Feb. 2009)

Reply
BrendaLea said,

April 6, 2009 at 5:35 am

Loved the interview and learning about another artist and their work. Thanks Kerin!

Andy, wow your work amazes me and I love your style. I look forward to scouring your website and seeing more of your work.

Reply
- remnants said,
  
  April 8, 2009 at 3:36 pm
  
  Hi BrendaLea!
  
  Sounds like you’ll enjoy his work as much as I do. Have fun!
  
  Reply
Buried Treasure – Revisited « Remnants Of Olde said,

July 24, 2009 at 3:10 am

[...] older post is an interview of the amazing jewelry artist, Andy Cooperman. I love doing interviews and plan to do more so hope you like [...]

Reply
jeanne levy said,

July 25, 2009 at 8:03 pm

Thanks for introducing me to this artist. I hadn’t “met” him before. Love the brooches. Very, very dangerously pretty. – Jeanne

Reply

Remnants Of Olde