Title: Spring By: Frances MacDonald Date: c. 1900-1905 Medium: Watercolor on linen What is the Monthly Challenge? Every month we challenge our readers to create jewelry inspired by the featured artwork. You have until the end of the month to share your work and then we pick two winners to receive beads and jewelry-making supplies from our sponsors. Our only rule? You must use at least one art bead in your piece! About the Art & Artist: Frances MacDonald (24 August 1873-12 December 1921) was a Scottish painter who contributed greatly to the “Glasgow Style” during the 1890s. You are probably aware of the Art Nouveau period and the styles that it ushered in, but did you know that two of the most influential artists from that time were sisters, Margaret and Frances MacDonald? They were part of a Scottish group known as “The Four” and included their Glasgow  School of Art classmates Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Herbert MacNair. We have these four talents to thank for the inimitable style of Art Nouveau (literally “new art”) with its fluid linear forms, inspired by natural plant life, drawing on nature, gender, symbolism, mythology and modernity. The flowing styles, elongated bodies and dreamy other-worldly look is … Continue reading January Monthly Challenge