MJG DESIGN
CUSTOM JEWELER
CUSTOM JEWELER
About the Artist I became interested in art an early age. In kindergarten I was praised for my ability to create drawings and work with clay.
By junior high school I already knew I wanted to be an artist when I grew up.In ninth grade I created a drawing of a Honda motorcycle that was chosen to hang outside the principals office for the entire school year.
When I was in high school I took all the art classes they would allow. I was heading for a career in commercial art. When I was a senior I created my 1st piece of jewelry. I made a key chain with a miniature replica of a Rickenbacker electric guitar hand sawed out of a sheet of silver.
When I went to college I studied painting, sculpture, figure drawing, and art history. A dorm mate of mine who was also an art student told me to check out the Art Metal Department. It was an amazing place! Everyone was creating something different...either jewelry to be worn, or small sculptures made with precious metals, plastics, and found objects. I was hooked!
I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1976 and eventually when to work in Milwaukee,WI. as an apprentice with a German goldsmith named Walter Jost. He taught me everything there was to know about jewelry repair and custom jewelry design.I worked as his wax model maker for several years. I also worked with Artist Arlyn Fishkin, who also went to UW-Madison but graduated 10 years earlier. she taught me the artistic side of the arts and crafts style of jewelry.
In 1986 we moved to California, where I have been making jewelry for the fine citizens of Orange County for the last 22 years. And now with selling on E bay I can make jewelry for anyone in the world! M.J.G.
EXHIBITIONS:
1972- University of Wisconsin System Craft Invitational
1975-Marietta College Crafts National Exhibition
1977-Marietta College Crafts National Two Year Touring Exhibition
1981-Annual International Pearl Design Contest-Japan...Design by Arlyn Fishkin. Winning rendering and metalsmithing by M.J.G.
By junior high school I already knew I wanted to be an artist when I grew up.In ninth grade I created a drawing of a Honda motorcycle that was chosen to hang outside the principals office for the entire school year.
When I was in high school I took all the art classes they would allow. I was heading for a career in commercial art. When I was a senior I created my 1st piece of jewelry. I made a key chain with a miniature replica of a Rickenbacker electric guitar hand sawed out of a sheet of silver.
When I went to college I studied painting, sculpture, figure drawing, and art history. A dorm mate of mine who was also an art student told me to check out the Art Metal Department. It was an amazing place! Everyone was creating something different...either jewelry to be worn, or small sculptures made with precious metals, plastics, and found objects. I was hooked!
I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1976 and eventually when to work in Milwaukee,WI. as an apprentice with a German goldsmith named Walter Jost. He taught me everything there was to know about jewelry repair and custom jewelry design.I worked as his wax model maker for several years. I also worked with Artist Arlyn Fishkin, who also went to UW-Madison but graduated 10 years earlier. she taught me the artistic side of the arts and crafts style of jewelry.
In 1986 we moved to California, where I have been making jewelry for the fine citizens of Orange County for the last 22 years. And now with selling on E bay I can make jewelry for anyone in the world! M.J.G.
EXHIBITIONS:
1972- University of Wisconsin System Craft Invitational
1975-Marietta College Crafts National Exhibition
1977-Marietta College Crafts National Two Year Touring Exhibition
1981-Annual International Pearl Design Contest-Japan...Design by Arlyn Fishkin. Winning rendering and metalsmithing by M.J.G.
