A look at Todd Pownell’s top five sources of inspiration

When asked to name five of his favorite things that inspire or help him to make great jewelry, Todd Pownell of TAP by Todd Pownell in Cleveland shared the following:

Backpacking. Every few years, I plan an extended trek through a remote landscape with all my essentials limited and contained to what I can carry. I find the act of walking for miles over several weeks challenging and energizing, and it also changes the way the mind works and the eye sees. The landscape becomes full of awe and wonderment, and appreciation is heightened.

Romanticism. The Romantic period of the late 18th century has had a considerable influence on my jewelry. I like to emphasize the interaction of dark and light, and the materials I choose to convey both order and chaos are an important aspect of my work. The use of fine gold and diamonds is a conscious decision on my part to evoke a sense of mystery and a sublime nature. I frequently set diamonds upside down to produce an effect of capturing and reflecting light in a succession of broad flashes, creating an appearance of twilight.

Poetry. Reading poetry gives one the confidence to break through all kinds of hierarchies and find incredibly unique juxtapositions of emotions, wit, and beauty. It can help dissolve the meaning of things and instead give one a glimpse of the essence of things. I like designs that secede the overt and embrace the poetical.

History. All disciplines have a field and arc of knowledge and energy. The past helps one move forward through life. Looking back and studying what has transpired has impelled previous generations and eras, not for purposes of repetition, but to enrich one’s understanding and tenacity for the continuum. The study of the history of jewelry and gems influences and inspires me through a deeper understanding of design elements and processes and why they were chosen and utilized through key periods.

Motorcycles. I grew up riding, racing, and fixing motorcycles. I’ve always found the particular intersection of design, function, and style embodied in the complex whole of a motorcycle, as an expression of attitude and lifestyle, fully inspiring. It is not a direct influence in my jewelry designs but serves as the impetus of those design ambitions that I hold within myself.