Meet the Makers: Cityscape Ring Designer Ola Shekhtman
In this Meet the Makers blog series, we will feature an artist that, quite simply, makes something. Drawing inspiration from custom works handcrafted in various media, we travel beyond the pieces by diving into the minds of the creative makers themselves.
Today, we feature our interview with Ola Shekhtman, jewelry maker who crafts Cityscape Rings. Ola uses 3D modeling tools to create molds of many city landscapes around the world, and as tiny as these are, her detail is impeccable. Impressively, this all happens out of her home in Cary, North Carolina!
GPI Design: What (3) words best describe your work?
Ola Shekhtman: Statement – Memories – Detail
GPI: What compels you to create with this particular medium?
Shekhtman: 3D Modeling limits me to working with all types of metals, my favorite being platinum, however I do not feel restricted – I do what I love and I love what I do.
GPI: What is your biggest constraint in the creative process?
Shekhtman: The biggest constraint has to be with 3D modeling in that I am limited by metal properties only. Another constraint for instance, I can make a filigree lamp-post on the bridge, but I always have to think about durability – will this lamp-post work. On the plus side of 3D modeling, I can acquire full freedom in creation.
GPI: What would your 5 year old former self say about your work now? And what do you hope your future 90 year old self will say about your current work?
Shekhtman: For both my 5 year old self, and 90 year old self would say, “Wow, what a great idea!” My 5 year old self would say, “you made 14 cityscape rings in a half year – not bad!” My 90 year old self would say, “I made 14 cityscape rings in a half year – not bad, but now in the whole world there’s no cities left to turn into rings!”
GPI: What other maker would you most like to collaborate with?
Shekhtman: I really admire Antonio Gaudi, he is one of my favorite designers.
GPI: What do you think the future of creation/creativity holds (for you, and the artistic world as a whole)?
Shekhtman: I think I will continue to use 3D design and modeling with highly detailed accessories that touch your soul. From other artist I hope to see something absolutely new, maybe new materials – something crazy like water or even sound.
GPI: What does your work space look like right now? Send us a selfie of you in your creative arena!
Shekhtman: My arena is pretty ascetic. I have my own room with my desk and my PC, one more table for handcrafting, sofa for resting, walk-in closet for organizing my tools and my own separate bathroom for my comfort. I have different lighting for an ambience, to keep cozy so I can spend days and nights in my “office-workshop”.
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Many thanks to Ola Shekhtman for sharing their creative inspiration. Stay tuned to our next Meet the Makers interview coming up in two weeks! The interviews will publish every other Tuesday throughout the remainder of the year, focusing on a wide variety of makers, which has us truly redefining what it means to create.
View this makers work: Cityscape Rings