Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Colorado Sunset ~ The Sky-Scape Series


Colorado Sunset
The Sky-Scape Series
Photo Credit ~ Daniel Krucoff

Last month I provided a sneak preview of my new Sky-Scape Series with this piece, which at the time I had given the title Sunset. However, as I completed the finish work, it became clear to me that I needed to call this piece Colorado Sunset.

In my March post about this piece, I shared a photo I took from our back yard of the sky, that was the inspiration. As I reflected on it, I realized that the spacious views we enjoy of the ever changing skies in our area meant that I needed to include Colorado in its title.

Coldworking is one of the finishing steps to complete a piece like this. It involves going through a series of incremental polishing phases with discs to bring the edge of the plate to an optical finish. Initially, I found coldworking to be a bit intimidating and tedious. However, Colorado Sunset and another piece I will share in another day or two, have shown me the true joy one can experience with coldworking. Once I achieve that optical finish on a piece of glass, well, it gives me a great sense of accomplishment.

There are more to come in this series as Colorado Sunset is the first in the series. I truly believe the possibilities for this series are infinite because the sky is constantly changing and beckons me to try to capture, in glass, one of those brief instants in time of its beauty.

Colorado Sunset is one of those pieces that just makes me smile. I am happy with the results and its beauty. It will be offered at Mountain Living Studio in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Until next time, aspire to be more as an artist and a person.




15 comments:

-Don said...

Oh Yeah! You're onto something here, sister! I love it... As nice as Dan's photo is, I wish I could see it in person to get a true sense of the variations in translucency that I know are impossible to capture with the camera.

Somehow I missed your March blog of the process. That was cool! Thanks for taking us through it. Next time please open up the kiln and get a shot of it while it's fusing... I bet that looks really hot (pun intended). Just kidding, I really like your eyebrows as they are...

Now I can't wait to see the next one, you big tease...

-Don

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Your love of your medium is so evident when you write about your work. It is reflected in the lovely products. Colorado Sunset is wonderful!

I enjoy learning something of working with glass, too, when you explain your processes. I am so looking forward to seeing more in the series.

Kathleen Krucoff said...

WhoWah Don! Thanks! You are right, many of these are best seen in person, although Dan has done some great work in capturing glass. It's so reflective, but he has a method now that works.

Glad you enjoyed the process. I can open the kiln when it's at fusing temp (1525 F in this case) but it really makes me nervous. One of these days I'm going to do some glass combing at that temp (protective glasses and coat are part of the attire). Haven't worked up the courage, although I've done it in Patty Gray's class.

Me? Tease? Just want people to come back for more! LOL. Thanks my friend.


Hi Elizabeth! It makes me very happy to know that my love of glass comes through in sharing this with everyone. Thank you so much for your kind words. I am VERY excited about this new series...I just have so many combinations in my mind right now...I hope it's a popular. :)

Pam Holnback said...

This is beautiful. I, too, can see an infinite series, and look forward to "seeing" them next time I'm in Manitou. We live on the westside, so it' not too far!

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Oh that would be great Pam! I'm delivering work this Sunday. Thanks!

K S Jewellery Designs said...

I was a fan of this piece as you were making it. I'm with Don... I would love to see it in person. The colours are so warm and inviting. Looking forward to seeing the next pieces in this collection.

I've just read your last post about the show. Sorry to hear it wasn't as hoped - you win some you lose some is my motto. Good luck with the next one.

Kristin :)

SCJ Jewelry Design said...

Love, love, love this!

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Hi Kristin! Thanks. These pieces are really great fun for me to create.

Hi Sandy! Thanks so much.

Janelle Goodwin said...

I always find it amazing how you take inspiration from nature and translate it into other forms, such as glass and metal. Your Colorado Sunset piece is gorgeous and is especially appreciated when I see your original photo. Looking forward to seeing the next in the series!

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Hi Janelle!

Thank you so much for your kind words. I greatly appreciate your opinion about my work.

Diane Hoeptner said...

Perfect title, beautiful piece.

r garriott said...

WOW!!! GORGEOUS! I love it!

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Hi Diane! Thanks for stopping by and thanks so much for your kind words about this piece.

Hi R. I always enjoy your feedback, thanks so much. It means a great deal to me coming from a gifted artist like yourself.

Douglas Hoover said...

Beautiful Kathleen! Wonderful to see the finished piece. I'm with Don, wishing to see it in person.

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Thanks so much Douglas!!!