A Few Ecologically Inclined Art Projects

I have always been inspired by plants and animals. I believe that it's important to feed the sense of wonder that comes from learning and discovering new things. Maybe then we can learn how to respect our planet and the sentient beings we share it with.

FIG EATER BEETLES

Necklace & Entomological Ring Box

2016

EARTHLAB PROPOGATION CENTER DISPLAY

Illustration & Graphic Design

2016

PROTECT PANGOLINS

2015

A collaborative project:

Rondi Vasquez, letterpress

Wendy Maruyama, wood frame

Monica Hui Hekman, illustration and graphic design

All proceeds donated to pangolin conservation.

https://wildlifeproject.wordpress.com/2015/03/09/protect-pangolins/

ANIMALS ON LAND

A Book of Portraits & Poetry

2014

To view individual portraits, please click on the thumbnails below.

CORALINE CRAB

Brass, sterling silver, and wood

10.5" x 4.25" x 3"

2013

Inspired by the Green-lined Shore Crab viewed at the Cabrillo Tide Pools

GEOLOGICAL DATING & EVOLUTION IN MY BACKYARD

Wood, acrylic, clay, vellum, glue

2012

Animals Under Water

A year has passed since Animals on Land was published. Now it's time for the next book in the series, Animals Under Water. I'm back in the saddle, folks!

For the first animal portrait, I chose the manta ray as my muse.

Here are some pictures of the process.

Sketches and Concepts

Manta rays frequently visit so called cleaning stations in coral reefs, where cleaner fish will help remove parasites and dead skin from their hosts. I was originally planning to depict remoras attached to the back of the manta ray. Instead, I decided to illustrate the smaller wrasse who specialize in cleaning inside the mouth.

Vector Graphic, Fabric Selection and Sewing

I'm excited to be working on this book project again! Thanks for checking in :)

ANIMALS ON LAND: Portraits & Poetry by Monica Hui Hekman

Thanks to each one of you who were able to make it out to my book release show! If you missed it, not to worry. The display will be up through December at GLASHAUS, Barrio Logan in San Diego. Email me at mhh@monicahui.com and I'll give you the VIP tour!

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of my book, please visit my etsy shop. Thank you for your support!

♥ Monica

studettes!

NOPALES STUDS

I've been wanting to make these nopales / prickly pear themed earrings for years! 

They make me feel like a proud San Diegan señorita.

sterling silver with antique finish

$140

picture of soldering process below...

MELTY SILVER DROPS

Made by melting sterling silver scraps, these organically textured, bright white studs are great for everyday wear.

sterling silver

$50

melted silver droplet pictured below...

Silver Leafies

Here are a few more pieces I have made as gifts for my mom and sisters. I love designing for people I know and love — I think that keeping a person in mind as I create gives the piece a special character.

SHAPELY STUDS

sterling silver

$80

EUCALYPTUS INSPIRED EARRINGS

sterling silver

$200

HUGGING LEAVES NECKLACE

sterling silver and pearls

$140

hoorah for new jewelry!

Hello world! I've been working on my metal smithing skills, and I have some new jewelry designs to show you. Most of these will be for sale on my new ETSY shop, which is currently in the works.

SUNNY SIDE UP STUDS

sterling silver & brass

$100

BIG & LITTLE LEAF PENDANTS

sterling silver

$80 (little) & $100 (big)

GINKGO TRI-LEAF NECKLACE

sterling silver

$200

"I HEART FAMILY" NECKLACE

sterling silver & brass

$200 (add $20 for each additional heart tag)

JADE FLORAL RING

white jade & sterling silver

NFS

Stay tuned — there's more to come!

Coraline Crab

Coraline Crab is complete! Here she is, after a summer of design and fabrication. I hope you enjoy seeing my new creation. :)

CORALINE CRAB

brass, sterling silver, and wood

10.5' x 4.25" x 3"

Coraline is my first animal portrait made from metal. My past animal portraits have been made primarily from fabric, so this is an exciting step for me! 

This portrait is also more three-dimensional than my past works. I am increasingly drawn to making dioramas and compositions of flat layers to describe a scene. This style reminds me of a stage or framed microcosm — a world within a world.

Months of rather tedious work have left me feeling relieved to move on to new projects, and I'm not sure I'll be attempting such a metal scene again soon! Spending a few days or weeks on a piece of jewelry seems like a piece of cake to me now. So, that goes to show it's all a matter of perspective.

Here are more pictures of the process...

Cabrillo Tide Pools (Summer 2012) – I took photos of some local creatures and their environment.

... from my photos and others online, I studied my animal of choice until I knew its basic anatomy.

Next, I created a sculpture. This time, I used paper instead of the usual clay.

... from the sculpture I did a drawing of my new character, bringing her into the computer to vectorize.

The vector graphic allowed me to break my drawing into pieces, making a sort of pattern for my collage.

I was originally going to make the portrait out of paper, like Glenda Gecko, but I decided to go big...

upper left: paper pattern pieces traced onto metal

upper right: metal pieces cut with jeweler's saw

lower left: soldered brass and sterling silver to make Coraline

lower right: lots of filing and sanding on all those layers for Coraline's cave

Most of the pieces are cold connected with brass tubing and wire. I even learned how to tap and die my own nuts and bolts!

After texture and patina, all pieces were joined together ... and here she is, yay!

Winter Works

I just finished an 8 week course with my metal smithing teacher, Ingrid Psuty! I'm so thankful to have a mentor and close colleague here at Glashaus. My skills are improving, and I'm happy as a clam. :)

*all pieces made from sterling silver

BLOSSOM EARRINGS

"CAT" RING

EGG PENDANT

removable lid with topographical design

GAZELLE CAMEO RING

gazelleo!

None of these items are for sale as of yet. My goal is to build up a cohesive body of work to present to galleries. Sometimes I feel frustrated by how long it takes me to make each piece of jewelry, but I'm also proud of my progress. Slowly but surely!

keeping busy :)

copper bougainvillea cut-outs • silver drop outlines • silver splatter

wood & silver flame cut-outs • rivets for fox earrings • silver fox cut-outs

BOUGAINVILLEA EARRINGS

copper and white pearls

with sterling silver ear wires

$40

FOXY LADY EARRINGS

sterling silver riveted to hardwood

with sterling silver ear wires

$48