Jeanne Leffingwell

Current Projects / Series / Exhibits
100 Mirrors

Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall, Who's the Fairest One of us All?

1. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall… (not for sale)

When I built the first mirror in this series—the green one—“Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall…” in 1999, it felt like an exploration into a more personal realm. I used colored pencil on paper with leather, wire, glass and ceramic beads. On the back is a poem I wrote at the time, about the ongoing process of aging.

I later realized it was not the first time I had used mirrors; in fact pieces such as “Reflection Study” with mirror shards and “Seeking Serenity” were done 10 and 20 years prior. It was intriguing to find a connecting thread in my own work of which I had been unaware.

Other mirrors followed, sometimes commissions for specific individuals or locations, and other times, the mirrors became more like journal entries. Being a little compulsive by nature, I like to give myself limits, as well as goals. Thus I decided to create 100 of these mirrors (I’m about at the half-way point now) and then stop. I will then decide if I want to make another 100!

a. Reflection Study (NFS)

b. Seeking Solitude (NFS)

Mirrors 39–48

All proceeds from the sale of remaining mirrors in group 39–48 will be used to purchase beading and art supplies for low-income participants in Phase 2 of the Million Bead Project. Details upon request.

39. Original JL Sampler (SOLD)

40. Peach

41. Turtles (SOLD)

42. Nighttime Fiesta

43. Daytime Fiesta

44. On the Border Fiesta

45. Arrowheads

46. Friendship Piece (SOLD)

47. Zig Zag in Green

48. Frame with Yellow Zig Zag

Mirrors 21–38 from the “Million Bead Project,” 2002–2007

Note: Eighteen of the 27 mirrors exhibited with the Million Bead Project in 2007 were Leffingwell-student collaborations. All are displayed in the participating schools. Nine mirrors were completed by other individuals, and are not counted in this series.