Medieval masterpieces

Raised by a blacksmith, artist Brittnee Forline has been influenced by her father’s roots in metal work; her own detailed creations explore her fascination with medieval fantasies.

Gray, soldered rings and intricately designed copper necklaces and other jewelry made by Forline rest on mannequins on display at the exhibit titled “Finifugal” in the Dutzi Gallery on campus.

Intrigued by her father’s work, Forline started working with this medium in high school.

“My dad used to work for the film industry,” Forline said. “He’d make props like swords for ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and create armor and shields used in different time periods.”

Forlene said when she was younger, her father would give her small pieces of metal to play around with, but the playing soon became a hobby.

When she grew older, she said her dad would give her rings and have her put them together.  She instantly became obsessed and started researching chainmail and different weaves and patterns of rings.

Recently, she achieved first place in Southern California’s Metal Arts Society Jewelry competition.

Forline’s jewelry reflects the elegant medieval time period through the use of chainmail.

“Taking something like chainmail, a very protective material, and turning it into something delicate and wearable interested me,” Forline said.

She said she designs paper models and conducts extensive measuring before she dives into her craft. The materials involved in her work can get expensive, so Forline said she likes to plan her pieces carefully.

In the future, Forline hopes to start her own jewelry business and create her own jewelry line. Some students like junior communications major, Kylie Montoya are already interested in purchasing her work.

“I am amazed by the jewelry; I can’t believe a student here made these,” Montoya said. “I asked [Forline] if any of the necklaces were for sale, and she told me she hadn’t taken the time to put a price on them.”

Forline said this medieval theme holds sentimental value for her.

“Life is always changing; people change,” she said. “But sometimes when you find something you really like, you don’t want it to change.”

 She explored Middle-earth by mapping Mordor the fictional universe from “Lord of the Rings” onto pieces of metal, and Link and Princess Zelda from the also made cameos in a necklace at the exhibit.

“What’s great about metal is that these pieces will live longer than I am,” Forline said. “I can take concepts or stories that I really enjoyed when experiencing them and can bring those time periods, like Legend of Zelda, to [life].”

Foline’s said charm to the art is subtle, and the art can be understood in multiple ways.

“[Viewers] can either enjoy it in terms of craftsmanship and appreciate it for the time and the skill,” Forline said. “Or you’re going to have little moments where you connect with the imagery.”

Her art has inspired student senior geography major Christian Miller to make his own jewelry.

“I’ve made some basic rings at home before,” Miller said. “It’s really hard just to make simple ones, [viewing] her work makes me want to keep [crafting rings].”

Forline is a senior who is earning her degree in metals at CSULB’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program this year.

Her artwork will be on display until Thursday in the Fine Arts building in the Dutzi Gallery.

1. Url: https://beyond4cs.com/vintage-engagement-rings/#retro
2. Additional quotes: 

• “I am amazed by the jewelry; I can’t believe a student here made these,” Montoya said. “I asked [Forline] if any of the necklaces were for sale, and she told me she hadn’t taken the time to put a price on them.” Forline said this medieval theme and vintage style of jewelry holds sentimental value for her.
• “Life is always changing; people change,” she said. “But sometimes when you find something you really like, you don’t want it to change.”