"I remember a story I heard a long time ago. It’s about an artist who is asked, 'How long did it take you to make that picture?' He replied, 'About thirty minutes and thirty years.' The story stuck with me, because I didn’t get it. Oh, I understood the answer…but I didn’t ‘get’ it. Now I do. A lifetime of experience is the inspiration for my work. Memories of youth, past adventures, emotional imprints great and small – it’s all part of the creative process."

Loretta Lam calls her current work ‘primitive modern.’ It explores the most basic and universal shapes – circles, ovals, triangles. There is an inherent balance and harmony to these forms. They are natural forms for jewelry, wearable and tactile and used the world over in adornment. She believes they evoke a connection to our collective past.

The modern part comes from her choice of media. Polymer clay has only recently arrived in the artist’s toolbox, but for Loretta, it is a perfect choice. The color is spectacular. She can work with any palette her heart desires. It is soft and easily modeled in its raw state and hard and durable after baking. The surface can be textured and rough or polished to a brilliant shine. It is complex and surprising and great fun to work with. She just loves it and hopes you enjoy it too.