Even if you haven't heard of Susanna Blunt, you're probably still familiar with her work. In fact, if you dig into your pockets you might find one of her most noteworthy designs.
The North Shore artist created the most recent effigy of Queen Elizabeth II that has graced the obverse side of Canadian coins in circulation since 2003. The multi-talented portrait artist and sculptor has a long list of high-profile portrait commissions on her resume and has exhibited her work internationally. And although she has designed jewelry for herself in the past, she only recently decided to create a collection for public sale.
"I never intended to make jewelry. It came about by chance," explains the Norgate area resident, who previously lived in West Vancouver.
Her foray into earrings and necklaces all started when one of her friends brought well-known Scottish sculpture and installation artist David Mach to her studio to see her work. Mach was immediately taken by Blunt's sculptures and didn't hide his admiration. "Jesus Christ!" she recalls him exclaiming. "This is fuckin' brilliant!" Blunt was flattered, to say the least.
"I was so staggered by having been given such an amazing compliment by this particular person because he's an internationally-known artist, he shows at all the major museums around the world," she says. "I just couldn't believe he was so excited about everything I was doing in sculpture, so when he left I decided I would have to make a necklace for myself with those words on it."
The response to her "fuckin' brilliant" neck ornament was positive. People thought the expletive accessory was hilarious and encouraged her to make more.
"I was amazed that anybody else would think it was funny or that they would want it," she says.
Blunt recently launched a collection of jewelry that is on display at Edgemont Village Jeweller in North Vancouver until Labour Day. "It's really just a branch of the things I already do," she says of jewelry design, explaining she likes to experiment and has dabbled in clothing and furniture design too.
Not your typical baubles and pendants, Blunt's psychedelically-coloured creations feature puppy dogs, acrobats, an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the F-word. "I like the absurd and I often use that in my work," she says.
Blunt worked with North Vancouver collaborative workspace Zen Launchpad to produce the pieces, most of which use neon plastic as the primary material.
"It comes in several colours and it seems like a magic material because it looks lit from within," Blunt explains. "It glows by itself in any light."
Her necklaces, earrings and bracelets are intended as fun and whimsical additions to any outfit.
"Everybody who sees it smiles, and I really like that," Blunt says. "If you can have something around somebody's neck and people will stop you in the street and smile, it's a very positive thing."
In addition to Edgemont Village Jeweller, Blunt's jewelry is also available for purchase on Etsy (etsy.com/shop/bluntart). Prices range from $25 for a hairband to $250 for a large necklace. Meanwhile, those interested in viewing Blunt's art, including her jewelry collection, can contact her through her website bluntart.com to arrange a tour of her North Shore home studio.
Next up on her things-to-create list, Blunt says she is planning to design a line of sculptural hats.
