Art@HOME: Jon Lepper

Art form: Handcrafted studio jewelry.

Best known for: Silver and tinted resin metalsmith work.

Major art influence: Sculpture was Lepper’s first interest and the abstracted human forms of Henry Moore were his inspiration.

“While I was working with clay I learned to throw on the potter’s wheel,” he says. “At that point my heroes became Pete Volkus and Paul Soldner who both had a way of attacking the clay in a very physical way.”

When he started working in jewelry, his was most influenced by Seattle metalsmith Andy Cooperman.

Now, however if he could imitate anyone’s forms, it would be the elegant organic shapes of master glass and bronze artist William Morris.

“I love the mystery of his pieces,” says Lepper.

What made you decide to do jewelry? Lepper, an art educator in Spokane for 34 years, experimented with many different mediums.

“Clay was my real passion,” he says, “because I could be physically involved and literally get my hands into the work.”

Then, prior to retiring from teaching at Ferris High School, he began working with metal and creating forms in jewelry.

“I joined the Spokane Jewelers Guild, and with their support and encouragement, I saw my metal work blossom,” he comments.

Process: “My work is really all about process and response to the media,” says Lepper. “Every time I sit down at my jewelry bench it is a day of exploration, experimentation and discovery.

“My ideas start from sketches but soon enough I visit that world of timelessness and possibility that all artists love,” he says. “I say visit because none of us seem to be able to stay as long as we want.”

The tools and techniques he uses have been used by metalsmiths for hundreds of years.

“It is the finished product that is different,” he observes. “I start by sawing, texturing and hammering the metal. Most everything I do right now is soldered and may be constructed from as few as one or two pieces of metal to dozens.”

The basic process is called fabrication and every finished piece is unique.

“As I work I create a world of my own where beauty, utility and preciousness merge into something I can share with others,” he says.

What’s new? On the wall of Lepper’s studio is a long list of things he would like to try.

He thinks more repousse and enameling are on the horizon. Repousse is a metalworking technique where a malleable metal is shaped by hammering from the reverse side.

“The silver and resin work is still popular,” he says, “but maybe I’ll get to those organic William Morris-inspired forms yet.”

What keeps you creating? “Growing up in Nebraska, I learned the gratification of work,” he says.

Two of Lepper’s favorite quotes are: “In idleness alone is there despair” and “Always do what you wish you could.”

“I can’t imagine not being involved in the making of something,” he says. “Of course an added motivator is selling my work so I can buy more tools and supplies.”