Mary Ellen OConnor - Willow Pond Studio

I am passionate about nature, wildlife, metalwork and color. My work as a fine art metalsmith combines all of these, and keeps me creatively engaged on a daily basis. Whether I am making a pair of earrings, a sterling box or a 24k gold and copper wall piece, I see variations of the shapes and designs that I have been exploring for decades. The wall pieces are allowing me to work larger than ever before and are bringing challenges and rewards. I am enjoying applying 24k gold leaf to copper panels to bring a new dimension to the wildlife I use in my designs. The flame patinas add incredible colors in a process that takes me to the knife's edge of disaster or success. That level of challenge at this point of my career is truly rewarding.