Wayne Houston

medium: jewelry

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Champlevé Cuff 2014 Jewelry	Earrings 2014 Jewelry	Equinox 2015 Jewelry
Homage to J. Miró 2014 Jewelry	LBD 15 2015 Jewelry	Champlevé w/Pearl 2014 Jewelry
PP Earrings 2015 Jewelry	Shell 2 2014 Jewelry	Strawberry Island 2015 Jewelry

Contact information
Artist resides in: Lodi, WI
Email Address: waynes-arts@tds.net

Artist statement
The inspiration and rhythm of my art jewelry evolved from studies of Asian art, contemporary tribal tattoo art and Architecture, in addition to art jewelry designed by Calder, Picasso and John Paul Miller. Lifelong interests in the sea and aquatic life, organic forms and the ancient techniques of Japanese swordmaking have all influenced my designs over time.

During my university studies, I came across a quote by the British Sculptor Eric Gill (1882-1940): "The things men make are the best witness. They cannot lie. And what they say is of supreme importance. For they speak a man's soul and tell who are his gods."

And so I believe that by looking at a person's work, you should be able to tell how they thought about the piece, what their goals were, how good their technique is and what they were willing to compromise in the production of the work. For me, craftsmanship and cognition go hand in hand.

Biography
Wayne Houston is a Wisconsin artist currently working in art jewelry, digital photography and leather carving (utilitarian and paintings).

Houston graduated from Hofstra University (New York) in 1972 with a B.S. degree in fine arts education (magna cum laude). He went on to complete a two-year apprenticeship with Mikhail Zakin in pottery. Houston also attended Hofstra University Graduate School, New College, with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies in Crafts.

Houston's art jewelry is known for its contemporary interpretation of classic designs produced by using the more traditional silversmith and goldsmith techniques.

Houston is an instructor and technical advisor in the areas of jewelry, art jewelry design and fabrication, pottery, glassblowing, glaze chemistry, kiln design and construction, blacksmithing for craftsmen, raku techniques and leather carving. His expertise and commitment to art span 40 years.

His work at the Brooklyn Museum Art School in New York, the Long Island Craftsman's Guild and at Hofstra University was recognized in both the New York Times and Newsday.

Public Television (Channel 21) in New York ran a piece on his glassblowing and the New York State Dept. of Education created a training film in which Houston taught basic wheel techniques.

Many of his works for individual collectors are commissioned pieces. All of his art jewelry and leather work are one-of-a-kind pieces that are signed, dated and stamped.

Houston's work has resided with private collectors in the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast and West since the early 1970s. His larger gallery exhibitions (both group and one-man shows) have been primarily in the Northeast. Currently, he lends his support to a few small, local galleries northwest of Madison and in the Northwoods area. Houston resides in both of these locations and believes that while it is necessary to think about art with a global perspective, it is also important to support your local businesses, in an effort to bring art into smaller communities.