Along the Path
One of my goals for this journey I call glass is learning and experimenting with new techniques. This is pointed out clearly to me when I'm at an art fair and I get the occasional comment along the lines of, "Oh... they are all so..." [big pause] "...different." I smile sheepishly and say "thank you", and wonder if the comment was a compliment or uttered in dismay at my array of mish-mashed offerings.
But learning and experimenting make me happy and keep me excited about my work, and I'm sure that my own style will emerge from all the ideas I continue to stuff in my head. Who knows, someday when I am long gone maybe someone will exclaim, "Look! There's a Monet, and a Picasso, and a Dana". Well, ok, maybe not [smile].
Anyway, the past few weeks I've been continuing along my path of experimentation (see my previous post on micas), including working with powders. Several months ago I watched a video produced by Bullseye Glass that showed one of their resident artists, Ted Sawyer, in action and explaining his process along the way. I decided to give some of his techniques from the video a try. Following is a picture of the pieces ready for firing in the kiln (center), along with the results of each.
Notes:
B really wasn't from a technique shown in the video, other than it worked with the same firing schedule as the others.
I used two sheets of glass for each piece and deviated fairly significantly from the firing schedules discussed in the video, aside from the top firing temp.
The texture imparted to the glass with this technique adds a lot of interest to the finished pieces. I'm excited about the possibilities with this and will continue working with this technique (along with all the others!) I will mount all of these, as is, either in standing frames or wall-mounted.
Want to learn more? Check the Resources section below, and good luck with your own creative journey!
Dana
But learning and experimenting make me happy and keep me excited about my work, and I'm sure that my own style will emerge from all the ideas I continue to stuff in my head. Who knows, someday when I am long gone maybe someone will exclaim, "Look! There's a Monet, and a Picasso, and a Dana". Well, ok, maybe not [smile].
Anyway, the past few weeks I've been continuing along my path of experimentation (see my previous post on micas), including working with powders. Several months ago I watched a video produced by Bullseye Glass that showed one of their resident artists, Ted Sawyer, in action and explaining his process along the way. I decided to give some of his techniques from the video a try. Following is a picture of the pieces ready for firing in the kiln (center), along with the results of each.
B really wasn't from a technique shown in the video, other than it worked with the same firing schedule as the others.
I used two sheets of glass for each piece and deviated fairly significantly from the firing schedules discussed in the video, aside from the top firing temp.
The texture imparted to the glass with this technique adds a lot of interest to the finished pieces. I'm excited about the possibilities with this and will continue working with this technique (along with all the others!) I will mount all of these, as is, either in standing frames or wall-mounted.
Want to learn more? Check the Resources section below, and good luck with your own creative journey!
Dana
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Here's a Studio Tip that might be helpful. Part of the technique described in the
video includes using Glastac. I hate to admit it (sorry, Bullseye!), but I
don't have Glastac. However, I think I came up with an acceptable substitute
using Klyr-Fire mixed with off-the-shelf aloe vera gel. I mixed it to what I thought was a good consistency for the technique described in the
video (about 1/4 aloe and the rest Klyr-Fire).
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Resources:
I use System 96 glass & powders
Bullseye Educational Videos, look for the video entitled "Artists at Work: Ted Sawyer" (subscription required, though I think it is worth the small annual fee)
