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Paula Crevoshay: Tantra, Mandalas & Vibrant Color

Exotic Locales Charge Her Vision

“The signature in my work is one of synthesizing cultures and time periods. A curator once said that I was a cross-pollinator of cultures and time,” notes Paula Crevoshay. Combining the influences of exotic lands and cultures with time-honored craftsmanship, incredible gemstones and an artist’s eye for detail, Crevoshay is known for her breathtaking, one-of-a kind jewelry. Her work is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian and forty of her pieces were in the recent inaugural show of the new jewelry wing at the Headley Whitney Museum in Lexington, Kentucky.

Q:  Does traveling to Thailand and India inspire any of your designs?

PC: Absolutely! I have incorporated Bo leaves, the ancient sacred leaves found all over Asia which represent the Buddha's moment of enlightenment, when his back touched the base of the tree while he was meditating. I have sprinkled these on earrings and pendants over the years. Many of the ornate architectural shapes from India, Thailand, Burma and Nepal have found their way into my designs. Tantra and mandalas have been a huge influence on my work and are typically used in pendant geometries emphasizing the power of the center stone. The color and opulence of Asia is always present in all of my works from my paintings, my cooking and my jewelry collection!

 

Q: What are the special places in Thailand or India that have inspired particular pieces of your work?

PC: I love Wat Arun, Wat Po and the city palace in Bangkok. I have visited many temples throughout the world and continue to make pilgrimages to Lanka Tilika in Sri Lanka. The Taj Mahal and the Pink City are two of my favorites in the Jaipur area. When I lived in India for nearly 4 consecutive years, I traveled all over the subcontinent. Ellora and Ajanta totally blew my mind because of the imposing sense of grandeur and majesty. I practice Tibetan meditation and studied with His Holiness the Dalai Lama's teachers before they passed away and that has put its mark upon all of my life's works in a very special way.

Q: As an artist, what are you striving to express with your pieces?

PC: I wish to bring a sense of beauty into peoples' lives. I hope to uplift their souls and delight their senses. I also enjoy accentuating their individual beauty by echoing the beauty and proportions and colors found in every wearer.

Q: What do collectors find irresistible about your work?

PC: It would have to be my color work, my details and the innate sense of beauty and harmony found in all of my work, like a fingerprint.

Q: Do you have plans for the future that you can tell us about?

PC: My future holds the creation of new and innovative designs, and continued support of North America's lapidary visionaries by blending their creativity with mine. There will always be something phenomenal, something colorful and something inspirational coming off my benches in the years to come.

Today, Paula is constantly traveling, to museum events, trunk shows and to Thailand.

Recently, in addition to her work with many renowned lapidary artists, Paula's creativity has been sparked by rare pearls. “It gives me such joy and glee!” she says. She continues to design more orchids, pansies and butterflies. Her pieces are one-of-a-kind and can take several months to complete. Her jewelry is made by bench jewelers in New York, New Mexico and Thailand, many of whom she has worked with for nearly 30 years.

“I am living what I am here to do. I’m still the same person; my life has had a wonderful destiny. I’ve had many angels.”

 

- CJDG Editorial