ARTIST'S INTERVIEW -ARTHUR DELAURENTIS

Hello, My name is Arthur DeLaurentis.

I have been a lapidary (stone cutter) for over 45 years and a serious silver smith for the past 15 years. My first love is the lapidary work. The natural beauty of gem stone material is what inspires me to create different jewelry pieces. I cut and polish all my own natural stones.

Over the years I have taken a number of different classes to improve my work. There are so many aspects of jewelry making that it is almost impossible to try to master them all. I have learned so much over the years that I would encourage beginners not to give up.

1. Interview Question: What is the best art gift you have received or given?

Last year I met the daughter of one of my customers who works at the American Embassy in Afghanistan. She sent me a box of rough Afghani lapis lazuli (about eight pounds). I in-turn made her a lovely pear shaped lapis pendant from the material.

2. Interview question: What is your inspiration when creating your art?

My creativity grows whenever I see the images that occur in the natural gemstones. My goal is to free the beauty that lies within the unpolished stones.

3. Interview Question: When are you at your creative best?

When I have trouble sleeping, I come up with some of my best design ideas. When morning comes I get up and draw my ideas. Then I refine how the piece will finally look.

This is one of my intarsia pendants. The center is malachite surrounded by lapis, synthetic opal and rhodochrosite. It hangs from a hand woven chain, made from five strands of 26 gauge fine silver wire. I also forged the fittings. I like this piece because it incorporates all my handwork: my own design, my own intarsia, and my own weaving. It sold very quickly.

I encourage everyone to pursue their dreams, take classes, and persevere in your art.
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