Jennifer Banks Designs

I consider myself very fortunate in that when I was growing up in Denver, Colorado there were still art classes in even the less affluent public schools. Also individual teachers were given much more autonomy than would ever be allowed today. So, when I was in the 7th grade my art teacher, Ms. Smith, brought an oxy acetylene torch and a soldering kit to class. And so I fabricated my first piece of jewelry at the age of 12 and knew at that time what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. 

Obviously I wasn’t able to set up a working shop at the age of 12 but continued to pursue different media until I got to the California College of Arts and Crafts where I declared my major in Jewelry and Metal Arts. My primary instructor, Marty Streich, took me under his wing and ultimately became one of the most important people in my life. Not only did he recognize and refine my technical skills, he also helped me to develop my personal voice as an artist.

My personal aesthetic comes from examination of natural forms and the ways that we interact with them. the way a great piece of architecture compliments the surrounding landscape, or a bridge can seem to become a part of the ravine it traverses. Even the way a fence line winds across a hillside can inspire me.