About The Artist

Vanessa Martin grew up in Pasadena, California.  After attending Sonoma State University she moved to Monterey CA, where she opened her own gallery.  She currently works designing and creating jewelry in her studio in Monterey overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

I believe that jewelry is a way of wearing miniature sculpture, a portable and intimate art to be worn and constantly enjoyed.  It is an art form that combines the unlimited nature of the future and the magical qualities of our oldest civilizations and will exist forever in one form or another.  I love working with sterling silver, 18 kt gold, unusual gemstones and freshwater pearls.  Because I am drawn to the Asian culture and architecture, I design simple shapes, similar to Asian characters, and accent them with my favorite gemstone, or freshwater pearls, which convey the qualities of silk and the ocean.  For centuries it has been believed that pearls are the most feminine of all the gemstones and hold properties to calm the mind and balance the spirit.  Wear them in good health and harmony.

EDUCATION

Sonoma State University – B.A.  In Studio Art; Special Studies at Revere Jewelry Academy in San Francisco; Mendocino Art Center; Monterey Peninsula College.