He was said to have started drawing before he took his first steps...

Born in 1860 in the Czech Republic, Alphonse Maria Mucha grew up to become one of the most reknown Art Nouveau painters and decorative artists of his time. Best known for his distinct style and sensuous images of women, he produced numerous paintings, illustrations and advertisements during his creative years.

After two years in Munich and some of that time devoted to painting murals for a patron willing to fund his studies, he was sent off to Paris where he studied at the Academie Julian. Once the supporting funds were discontinued, Alphonse Mucha was set adrift in a Paris that he would soon transform. At the time, however, he was a 27 year old with no money and no prospects - the proverbial starving artist.

But that would soon change...

Art Nouveau can trace its beginnings to about this time. Based on precepts akin to William Morris' Arts and Crafts movement in England, the attempt was to eradicate the dividing line between art and audience. Everything could and should be art... Burne-Jones designed wallpaper, Hector Guimard designed metro stations, and Mucha designed champagne advertising and stage sets. Each country had its own name for the new approach and artists of incredible skill and vision flocked to the movement.

Overnight, Mucha's name became a household word and is often used synonymously with the new movement in art. His style was based on a strong composition, sensuous curves derived from nature, refined decorative elements and natural colors. The Art Nouveau precepts were used, too, but never at the expense of his vision. Bernhardt signed him to a six year contract to design her posters, sets and costumes for her plays. Mucha was an overnight success at the age of 34, after seven years of hard work in Paris.

His fame spread around the world and several trips to America and resulted in covers and illustrations in a variety of U.S. magazines. Portraiture was also commissioned from U.S. patrons. At the end of the decade he was prepared to begin what he considered his life's work.

His legacy lives on today and has inspired my creative spirit with a freshness I've infused into my jewelry creations. From the images, colors and lines, it  provokes a retrospective mood while embracing current couturier within my mix of texture and pattern.