Artist Spotlight: Andrea Quiroz-Jira

 

Photo and story by Kim Carr

The first thing you notice when you meet Andrea is her easy smile. It lights up her face…especially when she’s talking about her art.  Andrea confessed that she is happiest when she is making something – anything. She just enjoys creating… especially big, bold, in-your-face jewelry. To look at one of her rings, you would think Andrea herself would topple over from the weight, but she wears her jewelry well as do her many, many collectors. Andrea says her jewelry is not for the weak-hearted.

When I asked Andrea to look back in time, she said art was always encouraged in her home as a child. At about 4 or 5 years of age, she received a potter’s wheel and a calligraphy set for Christmas. These where the gateway to her future as an artist.

As an adult, Andrea started with beading but then her mom treated her to a precious metal clay class. PMC is a combination of metals and organic binder which burns off in a kiln. She tried hard to explain precious metal clay to me and how it all worked, and it created a flashback to my sophomore year in college chemistry. Perhaps a visit to Wikipedia will better explain PMC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_clay

Color attracts Andrea. She loves to work with bronze and copper and loves the effects that occur when you solder metals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patina  As time has gone by, Andrea’s methods and techniques have changed. She would best describe herself as a Metalsmith. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metalsmith  The journey from potter’s wheel and calligraphy to metalsmith has included silk screening in high school, basket weaving and clothing design. A self-described Martha Stewart-wanna-be, Andrea embraces her creative side. When you see her current work of jewelry, you may be able to tell that she is a Gemini. With two sides to her work, you will see the big, bold, dramatic pieces that she has become known for but then she also loves to do fun, colorful pieces that are light and airy. Both sides reflect her attraction to the organic.

Considered a “class junkie”, Andrea enrolls in as many classes and workshops that time will allow. She travels to participate in classes by artists such as Richard Salley who creates jewelry in Santa Fe, New Mexico http://www.studiojsd.com/richard-salley.html and Celie Fago of Vermont http://www.celiefago.com/ . The work these two artists create causes Andrea to drool as she aspires to do better. Always willing to learn and to grow, Andrea is appreciative of the generosity and willingness of these artists and others to share their knowledge and talents.

Inspired by nature and travel, Andrea is excited by the changing colors of spring and fall.  Organic material and Asian design are strong influences. When she looks back at her body of work, Andrea feels it has changed dramatically. It is now all coming together as she finds her voice as an artist. She has been focusing on herself and not trying to figure out what others may or may not like. In the end it has worked out as there are many who have grown very fond of her Jira Collection.

Andrea enjoys working at home. When she can’t sleep or is hit by a creative idea, she doesn’t have far to go. She works in her studio every day. Even if she doesn’t have a deadline, she will work on something or study styles, colors, and trends. In addition to being a class junkie, Andrea has a thing for tools. Tools of the trade are collected like Tupperware, and I could tell by the enthusiasm in her voice that she was serious.

Andrea’s grandfather was a baker and owned a restaurant. As a child, Andrea thought of her grandfather as an artist because of what he created in the kitchen. He also enjoyed making miniature doll houses which were fun to decorate. Her husband Jeff, who enjoys restoring old cars, photography and metal sculpture, has created two of her favorite sculptures. Percy and Petunia – little pigs created from recycled materials. They hold a special meaning to her. Andrea husband is very supportive and always encouraging her to create.

Other passions include food, travel and music. The family shares a joke that they are going to eat and shop their way across the U.S. Her mother is from Mexico and her father, Spain. When Andrea was a child, her grandma would often make pig’s feet tostados, which she did not enjoy at all; however, those memories play a strong role in her life now. If Andrea had to pursue another career other than artist, she would love to open a tapas restaurant or food truck serving the miniature appetizers.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas

Andrea grew up in Kansas City and studied Environmental Science as an undergrad at Mizzou, and ultimately graduated with an MBA from William Woods University. She has worked for the University of Missouri as an Assistant Director for the Concert Series and for the Chamber of Commerce in Columbia as Membership Director and Event Planner.  Andrea and her husband, Jeff, first met at a winery where he was working as a winemaker. Together, they ran a business of their own… all good experience leading to interest in The Best of Missouri Hands. As of October 1, 2013, Andrea was named Executive Director of the organization. When asked what motivated her to seek the position as Executive Director, she stated she felt her past history helped pave the way. Andrea’s experience has given her the tools and knowledge that she will utilize in growing the BOMH and will help it move forward. Andrea is anxious and excited to fill this position.

Andrea markets her jewelry as The Jira Collection which can be found on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheJiraCollection?fref=ts  and on her website http://jiracollection.com/ and Etsy http://www.etsy.com/ca/people/AQJira . More often than not she is a walking billboard for her work. It is not uncommon for Andrea to be stopped and asked about a piece she is wearing. She has made several sales this way and often comes home weighing less than when she left the house. Another important marketing tool for Andrea is record keeping. She tracks important dates, birthdays, and anniversaries of her customers and will send email reminders to the significant others, making gift-giving easy to do. Her work can be found in the Nelson Art Gallery in Kansas City, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, The Columbia Art League, Euro Bella Boutique at the Lake of the Ozarks, The Stockton Mercantile in Rocheport and Poppy in Columbia, MO.

When asked for advice that she would pass on to new, upcoming artists, Andrea stated that the most important thing is to do what you love, create what you like. Authenticity makes your work more passionate and soulful… be true to yourself.