Thomas Cressman
Thomas Cressman is a metalsmith and jewelry artist currently living in Mead, WA. He received his Bachelors of Fine Art at California State University Long Beach, after having explored metalsmithing and jewelry classes in high school. He grew up in Southern California and resided in Colorado for two years, until he and his wife moved to Spokane, WA.
He creates wearable and sculptural art and jewelry that reflect the details and structural features of organisms around us. His work is abstracted interpretations of his inspirations and consists of both sculptural and wearable pieces. However, he strives to make every object stand on its own as a unique work of art. He explores the way that metal can be moved and manipulated to reflect these organic shapes and contours around me.
Most of his inspirations are drawn from ecological and oceanic life. He studies how these organisms exist in their own world, and he sees the beauty in the shapes, colors, and textures that they display. He brings these features into his work by using metalsmithing and patination techniques to show a contrast of color and texture. Using metal as a medium allows him to have control on how he creates his own living forms. This life that dwells around us inspires me with their beautiful and unexpected forms, and he aims to connect to his viewers by allowing them to see the natural world as he does.
