I’ve been experimenting with some new techniques that will lead to larger glass sculptures in the future. I think this challenge will be a good opportunity to explore color and shape in an intensive way and also develop ideas for larger work.
I’ve decided to make three groups of glass wall sculpture – ten pieces in each group, three different shapes & color concepts. I probably will approach this challenge a little differently than a painter might, since the work will have to be fired at least three times before it’s done. But I’ll do the best I can and will see how close I can get to finishing in thirty days. Those 30 days might have a few spaces between them, here and there.
I'm a little afraid that my propensity for overdoing things is going to come around to bite me at some point. As much as I try to keep the sizes down, pieces just seem to grow - they want to be flamboyant and sprawl across the wall. Oh well, we deal with our character flaws the best we can. Hopefully there aren't villagers with torches in my future.
Here's a peek into the process. The photos are, from left to right, sifting broken glass (a by-product of stained glass manufacturing); laying the glass into a shape with lots of open spaces; and that glass shape after firing.
I have been working very hard to understand how glass behaves under heat and how that effects glass volume. I am absolutely crazy about the natural patterns that happen when the glass "puddles up" during firing. It reminds me of water puddles, lakes from the air, the coastline of Greece.
Back to the studio - more about this project very soon!
Steph