LANCE HECK

MEDIUM

Jewelry

ARTIST STATEMENT

“While working mostly in 18k gold, platinum and fine gemstones, my pieces are contemporary in design with craftsmanship that is ‘old world.’”

ARTIST BIO

As far back as he can remember, growing up near the crashing waves of southern California, Lance Heck has always had two loves: being outdoors and creating things. Of course it may have had something to do with his parents; one was an aspiring artist, the other an avid outdoorsman.

What started as a hobby at age eight : rock collecting and gem cutting (he won the national junior lapidary title at age 11- the youngest ever to win), eventually turned into a passion and then a destiny. After graduating college with a degree in fine art, and later, gemology (from the G.I.A.), Lance apprenticed with the master craftsman James Grahl.

For seven years, he immersed himself in the european method of hand fabrication, wax carving, and stone setting. Around the same time (at age 18) lance was juried into the prestigious ‘Festival of Arts’ in Laguna Beach, CA. “It was a surreal moment” said Lance after being admitted into a show he was in awe of, and frequented with his art-loving mother as a young child.

Now today, after being an exhibitor for 39 continuous years, his respect for the show is as great now as ever. Along the way he has been a board member, vice president, juror (twice) and one of his pieces was even acquired by the festival for it’s permanent collection.