Articles and News
Industry News: Diamond Paintings To Benefit JFC; Remembering Designer Janel Russell May 10, 2017 (0 comments)
Renowned Designer’s Paintings To Be Auctioned At Facets Of Hope Dinner
Las Vegas, NV—Noted jewelry designer and artist Reena Ahluwalia has donated two original museum-quality paintings to be auctioned at the Jewelers for Children Facets of Hope event, set for June 7 in Las Vegas, NV. The paintings, titled Portal of Empowerment and Radiate Brilliance, show highly nuanced, hyper-realistic diamonds with ultra-magnified facets. Left, the designer in front of one of her works.
Ahluwalia, a multiple award-winning Canadian jewelry designer, diamond painter and educator, is recognized as one of the top masters of jewelry design in Canada and around the world. She has won numerous national and international awards, including the coveted De Beers Diamonds International Award, Rio Tinto Diamonds’ Global Design Competition, and the Tahitian Pearl Trophy.
“My paintings are very personal to me and each one is unique creation that has its own personality, said Ahluwalia. Knowing that the sale of them will benefit children who need the most help is truly gratifying for me and a wonderful recognition of my work.”
Both paintings will be on display during the event for potential bidders to view up close. Portal of Empowerment is valued at $20,000 on the collector’s market; Brilliance is valued at $10,000.
Portal of Empowerment, above, and Radiate Brilliance, below.
“Having a talent such as Reena provide these beautiful paintings to benefit Jewelers for Children is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for the charity,” said David Rocha, JFC executive director. So many more children will be helped due to her generosity and huge heart.”
The Facets of Hope event will take place in the South Seas Ballroom at Mandalay Bay. The paintings will be on display during the cocktail reception starting at 6:00 p.m. and during the dinner and program. To place a reserve bid prior to the event, contact JFC.
In Memoriam: Janel Russell, WJA Pioneer And “Mother And Child” Designer
St. Paul, MN—Janel J. Russell, the creator of the “Mother And Child” pendant and a founder of the Twin Cities chapter of the Women’s Jewelry Association, succumbed to pancreatic cancer last week at age 61 after a short illness.
Her iconic design became one of the most recognizable styles of family jewelry in the United States. Inspired in 1981 by her father, Farrell F. Johnson, and her son, Isaac Rucci, the line was licensed to Kirchner Corp. and acquired by the Richline Group in 2012.
In addition to her father and son, Russell is survived by her mother, Patricia M. Johnson, two brothers, a sister, and various nieces and nephews.
Russell was remembered by WJA president Brandee Dallow as kind, honest, sincere, and “one of the finest.”