Featured Artist - June Pawley
In this interview we meet June Pawley, a beadwork artist who has had both an interesting start and journey through bead-working. June's intricate work spans a variety of styles.
Getting to know you...
I am a beadwork artist and tutor for the last 30 years.
It all came about from wanting to learn American Beadwork from the 1840 period, as I am a black powder shooter. Black powder shooting is done with muskets like they do in westerns and the American civil war. I got into it around 1980 because Derek and our three kids were all doing it, so rather than sitting watching, I joined them.
What is your favourite medium or material to work with, and have you ever had a total disaster with it?
I work with Glass Beads mainly Czech glass as they are good quality. While I have not been to the Czech Republic but I have visited the distribution centres in the United States and have met members of the families who own the bead companies. Any disaster gets cut up to be restyled!
Where do you turn when you are feeling creatively stuck?
Inspiration comes from looking at books and seeing what I can do with ideas. I also find going on beading retreats good for trying new things. There is no official bead body/guild in New Zealand, but a good friend and I organise our own sometimes and invite other people.
What does success look like for you?
Success is seeing people expressing delight in my work or seeing something that I'm feeling so-so about bring joy to someone else.
What is the biggest creative set-back you've faced and how did you overcome it?
My biggest set-back was when I first started. I bought cheap beads and then found I wasn’t getting a nice finish. It is worth investing in good beads and top quality beading thread and findings from reputable companies. We have visited some and seen the product produced.
My top tip is don’t give up! Keep challenging yourself!
If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be?
An artist I would like to work with again is an American called Two Eagles who allowed me into his workshop, usually closed to other bead-workers.
I learnt so much from him. Two eagles was living on the property owned by friends of ours in Nevada and he does American Indian Applique Beading. He used to do it for films in Hollywood!
An extensive variety of June's work is available for purchase through Percy's Place - including a great range of Christmas themed earrings. Perfect for this festive season.
Here are a small selection of June's pieces: