An Interview with Myra Perrin - The "What If" Artist

Myra Perrin is an Indiana artist who has recently devoted her talent to jewelry design. Her uniquely shaped jewelry includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings and pendants.

A long time friend and neighbor of Rose-Marie and Bob Goodman, Myra designed and built the distinctive display tables in the lobby of Robert Goodman Jewelers.

Myra's exciting line of jewelry is now available at Robert Goodman Jewelers.

Tell us a bit about your artistic background?
MP: I've always been attracted to shapes, especially curves. I have created art for the past 25 years. I've had a special interest in wood sculpture and a few years ago I enrolled at Herron Art School at age 47. I graduated with a BFA degree in Furniture Design because they didn't offer wood sculpture.

You're also a teacher at the Indianapolis Art Institute?
Yes, I've taught wood-sculpting class for 4 years and precious metal clay class for 5 years at the Indianapolis Art Institute in Broad Ripple. It's a wonderful organization and just being there around fellow artists and students keeps my creative energy going strong.

Now you've discovered jewelry design - how does that connect with wood sculpture?
Both wood and jewelry involve sculpture. If it's big and stands as art in your home, it can be crafted out of wood. If you want something smaller, it can be a jewelry sculpture you wear.

You call yourself a "What If" artist, what does that mean?
When I consider a project - whether it's a new jewelry design or a piece of furniture - I ask myself, "What if?" It's an open-ended question that promotes creativity by getting rid of any pre-conceived rules.

Talk about your jewelry designs, they're an interesting study in curves, aren't they?
Exactly. My work was inspired by North Carolina metalsmith who uses a revolutionary new technique to create her jewelry. Lacking the formal education but wanting to design jewelry, I spent months at her studio learning this unique metal sculpting technique called "Raising Synclastic".

Raising Synclastic? For those of us in not in the jewelry design world, this means?
We're back to curves again. Synclastic is the process of making curves in metal in one or two planes. You also can combine metals in your jewelry designs.The Synclastic and Anti-synclastic process is relatively new, begun in Japan only 12 years ago.

You really see this process in your jewelry. What metals do you use?
I work with sterling silver and bi-metal, which is 18kt gold and sterling. Metal sculpting this jewelry takes more time but you end up with each piece having its own unique and individual personality.

Your jewelry is now available exclusively at Robert Goodman Jewelers.
Yes, Rose-Marie and Bob have supported my art for years. I'm very excited and quite flattered they would carry my jewelry at their store. If anything, this has made me work even harder on each piece to ensure their customers will like what I create.

You've created a special Limited Edition Heart Pendant you'll introduce at your reception on February 12th?
These are really special pieces. These beautiful heart pendants are hand-crafted in silver and bi-metal. There will only be a limited number available through May 31, 2009, only at Robert Goodman Jewelers. And each one will be signed and numbered by me. As you might have guessed, the Heart Pendants make a distinctive, one-of-a-kind Valentine's Day gift.

Thanks for your time, Myra.
Thank you and I hope customers will come to Robert Goodman Jewelers and discover my jewelry in person.