Kevin Jorgensen   Artist Statement Looking back I can see early influences on why I have become a jeweler. The first being due to a small rock shop across the street from my elementary school. I'd go in after school and be amazed by all the gems and stones, not really noticing the jewelry. That would end up waiting until my last years of college in San Diego when I actually started to make jewelry. It was just as a hobby at first, putting together found objects and bending wire into flower and swirl shapes. After graduation I moved back in with my Mom and had 6 months to spare before a two month backpacking trip through Europe, so I enrolled in the jewelry class at the College of Marin. I was now working with fire, tools and machines and the possibilities were endless. I was finally able to create something solid and lasting out of the gems I always admired. My trip through Europe lasted a year and I was able to visit so many different cultures and concepts. Although it was sad leaving, I knew I would be happy to again be making jewelry and the experiences abroad would have influence in what became and continues to become, G Whiz. Kevin Jorgensen EMAIL :gwhizsix@comcast.net