One of my Experiments.....
I've been absent, my apologies.
Never fear, I have been working on my art....my glass art and my art jewelry. And I haven't felt I had anything worthy of posting on my glass blog, but then I thought I should share some of what I've been doing with glass that is .... as of yet.... unfinished.
So here it is, one of my experiments, and I definitely consider it unfinished. I mentioned a bit about my experiments back in a January post. I'm not completely satisfied with the result you see here and that is why I have not slumped this piece into one of the sushi plate molds I have. I keep wondering if I should do anything else? It has some imperfections, which I don't think the photo shows (my photo, not one of Dan's), but I can see them. Well, we all know what that's like when our critical eye sees something that isn't right. Maybe I should just set this aside in the small stack of pieces that will be recycled into stringers? As you can tell from all the questions I have about it, I have not decided if I should go through the effort of finishing this or just recycle it.
The inspiration for this piece started with this wonderful book I found at Barnes & Noble prior to Christmas. It was Alponse Mucha Master Works.
I loved the book. The colors, the wonderful art work. Unfortunately, the book is sold out, so I hope you can find a copy if it inspires you too.
Part of what captivated me was Mucha's graceful lines. I wanted to incorporate a bit of that graceful line work in my art, so I tried this little experiment. And ever since I found mica powders, they have taunted me a bit. I know how hard they can be to incorporate into fused glass (at least for me) and so I tried something new. It sort of worked, but not quite. At least I'm not happy with the result.
I loved the book. The colors, the wonderful art work. Unfortunately, the book is sold out, so I hope you can find a copy if it inspires you too.Part of what captivated me was Mucha's graceful lines. I wanted to incorporate a bit of that graceful line work in my art, so I tried this little experiment. And ever since I found mica powders, they have taunted me a bit. I know how hard they can be to incorporate into fused glass (at least for me) and so I tried something new. It sort of worked, but not quite. At least I'm not happy with the result.
I used some of my favorite Bullseye Glass, that rich marzipan color I love. And then I used coppery mica powder to form the lines you see, mixed with clear fine frit in my attempt to have the mica fuse to the glass. It sort of did, but not all of it. So I decided I would add a bit of Glassline paint in a rust shade to emphasize the mica a bit more, and then as a contrast I thought it would be nice to have a bit of green in there (provided by a bit-o-frit). Over the top of all of that I added more clear frit to 'seal' the mica in place. After another firing in the kiln, all fused and the mica is in place. But, the surface doesn't look good and I'm back to not being satisfied with the result.
So, I have learned some things with this test and I'm not sure where it will take me. I have other things in the works too, along with shows starting next month, so I will have more to share. I think it helps to know that we all have things that just don't go quite the way we had hoped. All part of the learning process and that's a good thing.
Please feel free to share your thoughts, I always enjoy what my fellow artists think.
Until next time, aspire to be more as an artist and a person.
7 comments:
So true about the learning process. Sometimes the aha! moment comes easily but most of the time it's pretty elusive!
I don't know enough about glass art to know whether this is 'good' or not, but I find what you have here quite pleasing. How about just putting it away for a while instead of trying to decide right now what to do with it?
Hi Deborah!
Thank you so much for providing feedback and your insights. I greatly appreciate it. You have such a gift with your painting, I truly value your opinion.
I thought I saw the glint of copper in your sample piece. I think it's beautiful. I can hardly wait to see what else you'll be doing with this!
Hi Kathleen,
I think you are so brave to share an experiment you're not entirely happy with and to ask for input. If I may be so bold, here is my two cents worth.
I think I see where you want to go with this and I don't know if you're going to get there with this one. The lines have become too organic to establish that Art Nouveau or decorative look of Mucha's. With that said, I don't think this experiment is a wash. I really like the colors and the organic shapes. I think it just needs something to balance the design and the colors. My eyes really want a blue or blue-purple accent to help make those beautiful yellow greens and pinks POP. It's got a wonderful spring feeling to it, like a vine starting to stretch out its tendrils. Or, if you turn it on its side a turtle sunning itself on a log. Or, if you turn it over there is a child kicking up its heels. The possibilities are infinite...
There really are some cool things going on where the colors overlap and interact. I can see how this would be a lot of fun to experiment with. I'm glad you and Dan are able to laugh together about your expectations, because you have to remember to keep it fun. Keep asking yourself those "what ifs" and go find them - when you do, the Ah-Ha moment will be worth it all.
Happy Creating,
-Don
You are on the verge of a break through about this process, I'm sure. I love the way you keep pushing yourself to learn new things about your medium. I think that's why your glass is so spectacular. You don't rely on things you are comfortable with, predictability, etc. You keep trying new things and learning your craft. I can't wait to see where this takes you!
I agree with Deborah, don't feel like you have to do anything right now...maybe some of your metal work will answer your questions here...
But for me, I miss some of the subtle layering/mingling of colors that I see in some of your other pieces that keep my eye wandering around...in and out of little areas, etc. Does that make sense?
Hi Sheila,
Thanks. Yes the copper is there but it is fairly subtle. That the thing with micas....they are so bright and pretty to me but they dissipate so much upon fusing. I'll keep after it.
Hey Don.
Thank you so much for taking the time to give me your assessment. I like the idea of adding something else to this. It seems like it's begging for something else and that's my uncertainty here. Sometimes I look at this and see a big treble clef from my piano studies!!! :D
Hi Elizabeth.
You are so kind and encouraging. Thanks for your feedback, it really means a lot to me.
Hey Karen.
Yes your comment makes perfect sense. I have some others in a new series that have more of what I see as my 'style' with glass and they should definitely cause the eye to wander a bit...I hope. Thank you.
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