Getting Homesick!

The hot weather has arrived here in Phoenix -- and, although Spring is dragging her heels back home, my thoughts are definitely turning there. After fun travels and great visitors... I am now back at work at the 'Barn'.  Finally, 'The Lure of the Siren' is nearly complete.  I will need to do some finishing touches later, but am leaving it for now.

 

 Those thoughts of home, the prairies and seasonal changes have inspired the next piece.  It is ready for the first firing...

 

Fingers crossed.....

 

Aspen Reflections

More work on the Aspen piece.  Added some frit... back in the kiln for a partial fuse. (oops pic is sideways)

 

Finally ready for the last stage... drape over a sconce mold so that it will be free standing in a lighted area.

 

ASPEN REFLECTIONS

 

Frit Painting

Time to move onto something new.... a frit painting.... which is created much like a water color, acrylic or oil painting -- only the medium this time is powdered or crushed glass.  I will attempt a landscape scene of an Aspen forest reflected in the still water of a lake.... Here goes....

Getting started with a clear piece of glass as the base.  I've cut some pieces to represent the sky peeking out of the background... the tops of some pine (or at least green) trees peeking above the aspens... some tree trunks and a bit of forest floor.  The rest of the piece will be assembled using only frit (crushed and powdered glass).


 

Now I am beginning to define the areas a bit more with the frit.
 



Now that the entire surface of the clear base is covered with colored frit, I will sprinkle a layer of clear powder, then a layer of clear fine frit to cover the entire piece.  This helps to keep the colors in place and adds another layer of glass.

 

Into the kiln for a full fuse... this is the result of the first firing... probably a couple more firings to go. Back to work I go.......

 

 

 





Unicorn and Maiden completed

Things don't always turn out the way your mind envisions it... or I should say the way MY mind envisions it.... A bit disappointed with this piece -- but will find a place for it in my gallery....

      

 

 

Ahhh! Finally at work at the ArtBarn

Weather is a bit cool here in Phoenix.  We need to use a heater in our studio!!! Not as cold as Winnipeg though!  It is great to be back at work here at the Art Barn.  I have brought the pieces of the work I had started BEFORE Christmas!!! and have finally got the Unicorn piece underway.  It's been a bit of slow-go -- as I am creating the background as I go (rather than making a pattern ahead of time).  I have fused the unicorn and the maiden.  The background will be done with stained glass - and the foil method.. .I have just started wrapping the pieces with foil -- must go and pick up some more glass for the final border.... hopefully tomorrow.  Here's what it looks like so far....

Purple Pelican Art Glass: Oh Dear, now what....

Purple Pelican Art Glass: Oh Dear, now what....: Here I am out of the kiln... my fear re bubbles has been allayed -- there are none.  However, I clearly overdid the 'pixie dust' (mica) --...

Oh Dear, now what....

Here I am out of the kiln... my fear re bubbles has been allayed -- there are none.  However, I clearly overdid the 'pixie dust' (mica) -- making for a grainy surface.  Also the idea of  detail coming through from the first layer didn't happen.  What to do with it now.... I could dust it with clear grit and throw it back in the kiln to create a smooth surface -- then add detail.... or.... I kind of like the flip side... maybe I can do something with that....

 

I will ponder this .....