Wearable Sculpture Art - Jewelry
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Time to read 4 min
Jewelry as self-expression
Jewelry has always been a reflection of personal style, but wearable sculpture jewelry takes this concept further—transforming adornment into art. Inspired by the majestic beauty of the natural world, many of these pieces draw directly from the animal kingdom. From the grace of a fox tail to the strength of a bear, these designs bring the vitality and elegance of living creatures to life in stunning, wearable form.
What sets wearable sculpture jewelry apart is the artistry behind it. Many of the creators behind these designs are sculptors known for their large-scale works. Sorrel Sky artists Michael Tatom, Star Liana York, Tim Cherry, and Bryce Pettit are typically recognized for such larger bronze sculptures. But these same artists are channeling their talents into intimate, wearable creations. Each piece becomes a miniature masterpiece, carefully crafted to evoke the same emotional depth and visual impact.
A pendant might mimic the grace of a swan's neck, while a buckle captures the quiet intensity of an eagle's gaze. These designs are more than adornments—they are celebrations of nature’s power, elegance, and beauty. By wearing them, you carry a piece of art that speaks to their connection with the animal world and their appreciation for bold, imaginative design.
Join us as we explore the remarkable intersection of sculpture, jewelry, and self-expression. Discover how monumental artistry is reimagined on a personal scale, and how the natural world continues to inspire breathtaking creations that blend the boundary between art and life.
MICHAEL TATOM
“The main focus of my work is to translate into bronze the essence of the animal, to capture some movement or instinct and present it in a simple stylized form.” — Michael Tatom
Michael Tatom Jewelry is entirely hand-made by Michael, himself. Inspired by his sculpture line, this wearable sculpture art is refined, modern, sophisticated, and fun. He creates each piece with a wax carving and lost wax casting. Using natural gemstones, he set them in top-grade metals such as yellow, rose, or white 14k gold, sterling silver, or bronze.
Michael's reputation as a master goldsmith was well-established before he gained recognition as a sculptor creating unique animal forms in bronze. His sculptures incorporate graceful curves and elegant lines that capture an animal’s shape and the magic of its movement. Raised in a family of artists and designers, he later attended the Gemological Institute of America in California. After working in the San Francisco Bay area for a decade, he returned to his roots in New Mexico, having spent his childhood in Los Alamos.
Now living and working in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Michael has been making contemporary jewelry and bronze sculptures for over twenty-five years.
STAR LIANA YORK
“When a character emerges from a work I am sculpting, I feel touched at a deeply intimate, subconscious level. It is the essence in a work of art that makes it intensely personal and entirely universal at the same time.” — Star Liana York
Since moving to the Southwest in 1985, Star Liana York has been creating a vast body of work that reflects her interest in the people, animals, environment, and history of the region. In addition to her tabletop, life-size, and monumental sculptures, Star has also created pendants, cuffs, and pins.
A continuing source of inspiration for her bronze sculptures comes from exploring the native peoples of the Southwest and the mythology of ancient sacred sites. She is an avid horsewoman, riding daily on her ranch near Abiquiu, New Mexico, where she finds inspiration surrounded by the vast open vistas.
Star is one of Southwest Art Magazine's 30 most influential artists. In 2013, she was selected as an Honorary Artist at The Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos, NM, and received the Artist Choice Award at the National Cowgirls Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, TX. Her monumental bronze sculptures are held in collections across the country including the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.; Miami Zoo in Miami, Florida, and Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos, NM.
BRYCE PETTIT
"I try to pare each piece down to the minimum necessary to tell the story. When the composition is reduced to only the essentials, the intensity of the movement and impact of the form is pure and direct." — Bryce Pettit
Growing up surrounded by nature, Bryce Pettit's deep love for the world around him, and his desire to create art, have always been closely linked. When he entered college, he studied biology and the natural sciences followed by graduate studies in ecology. Eventually, his passion for art became undeniable and he focused full-time on an art career.
Bryce learned the science and industrial mechanics of bronze casting and metallurgy. Immersed in understanding the foundry process, he mastered each step. Those years of intensive learning gave him the skills to unleash his creativity.
Now a professional sculptor for more than 20 years, Bryce has been chosen for several large public installations. His works can be seen at the Tulsa International Airport, the Maritime Museum in Ludington Michigan, the Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens in Kauai, Hawaii as well as collections of libraries and schools.
Currently, Bryce lives in Durango, Colorado, surrounded by the mountains and rivers he loves.
TIM & LINDA CHERRY
“My ... approach involves the use of simplified shapes and lines to produce curvilinear forms. Capturing the grace and elegance of my subjects is a primary goal.” — Tim Cherry
The works of the husband and wife team, Tim and Linda Cherry, are a joyful expression of art, animals, and nature. Combining their talents to create jewelry that shares three decades of Tim’s wildlife sculptures with a wider audience, their contemporary, wearable art speaks to your inner animal.
Tim’s style is influenced by the art nouveau culture with uniquely orchestrated compositions and avant-garde patinas. These identifying elements have become his signature in the fine art world. Linda's love of jewelry started when her grandmother gave her a small blue bug pin encrusted with gemstones when she was a little girl.
Linda and Tim are sharing their experiences in nature and art by adding complementary shapes, lines, and colors to Tim’s original sculpture designs to create jewelry for everyone to wear every day.
