Farmhouse in the Sunflowers

I completed this commission piece Christmas Eve.  It is hand painted and fused on two separate pieces of glass so that the sunflowers appear to stand in the foreground of the picture.  The technique rendered a 3D dimensional effect.

Firebowl--Combing Glass

This 12" bowl is an example of glass that was superheated and then raked while still in a molten state.  The raked glass was then annealed and cooled, then added to two circular glass pieces and re-fused and slumped to form a bowl.  The bottom was left clear glass so that the transparent layers remain visible.

Triptych and Roll Up Vase

These two pieces are from the Patty Gray workshop.  I had the triptych framed in black as three panels.  The roll up vase stands 7" tall in a gentle heart-shaped form.

Christmas Cheer Wavy Bowl

This is commissioned piece for the holidays,  It was done as a three-glass layer blocked in a 12-inch casting ring and adorned with stockings and Xmas trees.  I used pink/gold streaky glass capped in clear with irid white as the base layer.  The glass was then slumped into an 11" wavy bowl mold.

Photo Fuse Paper with Glass Frit

I wanted to share a certain glass coloring technique that I am working to perfect. It involves "burnishing" a photo onto the glass using photo fusing paper (requires a specific printer and iron-based toner) and then coming back with glass frit and painting on the photo to add color and dimension. I first full fused the piece at 1450. Using the photo fusing paper guidelines, I fused the photo on the "window" at 1300.  I then added fine and medium frit to the photo using the colors taken from the original photo, applied hairspray to keep it in place, and refused at 1350.  This retained the grain to give it a dimensional quality. Pleased with the results...

Western Colorado Journeys

I recently joined the online gallery of artists at Western Colorado Journeys magazine (cover above).  Several of my premier pieces are displayed online (http://www.westerncoloradojourneys.com/artist.php?userid=44) and will be published in their annual guide in March.  Please visit the site to see some great artwork and great wines all from the Western Slope of Colorado.

Midland Arts Company

A photo of my work on display at the Midland Arts Company in Rifle, CO.  Join the Midland Arts Company for their Christmas Open House On December 3rd from 6 pm to 9pm.  Visit their facebook page for more information.

Results of the Patty Gray Advanced Fusing Workshop

As promised, several of the completed pieces from Patty Gray's week-long workshop at D&L Art Glass Supply in Denver.  Patty is an outstanding teacher and I would recommend her classes to anyone at any level in glass fusing.  D&L was also a perfect host and provided excellent  class space and support (shameless plug but true!).

Patty Gray at D&L Art Glass in Denver

I have had the tremendous opportunity to study under Patty Gray all week in Denver.  These are some examples of fused pieces that come out of her class.  These are all in various stages of completion.  I will post the final product once they are done, including a "roll up" vase.

Hand-Painted Rectangular Bowl in Hi-Fire Spectrum Glass

Spectrum hi-fire glass produces beautiful slumped pieces.  I like to use it with hand-painted pieces that illuminate the art as if it were backlit with a bright floodlight.  You have to fuse it very slowly with a bubble squeeze schedule or else it will bubble up.  I also do the hand-paintings separately and then fuse then to the larger piece in two fusings.  This also minimizes bubble entrapment.

Christmas Ditties

It is finally snowing here in western Colorado and with it comes holiday cheer!  I bought this quaint 8" mold from Slumpy's and have had so much fun with it.  The inner tree is done in aventurine green glass, rimmed with cherry red transparent and capped in clear thin.  Once it was fused, I flipped it over and added dichroic trimmings and re-fused.  Finally, the piece was slumped into the mold.  Fun and festive!  Yes!

Draping Bullseye

My new mega-kiln allows me to do large drapes and slumps.  I had some gorgeous Bullseye fracture/streamer glass and millefiori from another piece that I fused into an 18" draped vase.  Although it is a larger piece than I am used to working with, it finished in a graceful form and bold color.  I do love working in Bullseye Glass!  Someday when I grow up to be a successful glass artist, I can work exclusively in Bullseye.  But for now, it is the exception, not the rule.

The Holiday Gear Up

My new studio is finally operational and I am diving full on into the holiday season.  These are a few of the glass castings ornaments that I am presently making for sale on Etsy and at the Midland Arts Gallery.  Please visit my Etsy link if you are interested in purchasing some of my holiday glass!

Go Saints!

Wavy fused bowl in streaky black with dichroic stringers and amber fleur de lis accent

Amber clear with bejeweled confetti accents and fleur de lis streaky black center

As promised, a "Saints" themed bowl and platter for a Slidell non-profit fundraiser.  Sorry for the sub-par photo quality.

Expanding the Shop

Not only am I expanding the studio, I just received my new Evenheat GTS23-13 kiln!  I can now do large fusings and drapes.  My horizons have just expanded 10-fold.  I also wired it with a dedicated circuit so now more power failures.  Nothing worse that a tripped breaker right in the middle of annealing.  I just have to figure out how to move a 200 lb. kiln into place.....

Back to Work (again)

Indigo Blue Sys 96 Glass with Rainbow Leaves Dichroic Maple Leaves

The move is finally complete (although my studio is in chaos!) and I am back to work.  I just pulled this out of the kiln--a commission piece made with transparent indigo blue glass embellished with dichroic-rainbow-leaf patterned maple leaves.  I hope it captures the season as fall turns into winter.  Two more commission pieces are in the works so check back in a few days for all you Saints fans!

Moving On Up--The Gallery

Exciting news!  The Midland Arts Company has invited me to show my fused glass art and glass mosaics at their gallery on East 3rd Street in historic downtown of Rifle, CO.  I will be displaying my painted, fused plates and fused bowls, along with small mosaic mirrors (when I get them completed).  I am so grateful to the artists at the gallery for allowing me the opportunity to show my work.  Thanks guys!

Booth Sittin'

Sitting in my booth at the Salida Riverside Art Fair.  Unfortunately the show was poorly attended--it was a shame too because there was so much great art.  Made some $$ despite the low turnout.  Hopefully by next year the word will have gotten around about its potential!

As Winter Returns

In celebration of the sunsetting summer, a 10" sushi dish is born.  I had Mt. Sneffels in mind when I made it.  One of my favorite peaks truly.

Cabin in the Woods

This piece was done for a family member.   It is a rendering of her cabin set in the dense woods of NM near Ruidoso.  The glass painting is framed in sedona spirit glass.

Birdbath of Fall

This one will probably go this weekend or next.  Nearing the end of the garden season so I hope it moves at the next couple of shows...

Lamps, etc...

Soft and warm light cascades across my living room.  I will miss it when it sells.

Grapes, Peaches, Cherries

One down, two to go.....

Upcoming Painted Glass Fusings

I have found that attendees enjoying seeing the artists working at their craft during a show so I have started taking work with me to each show.  This weekend, I painted three plates for glass fusions.  Each will be very slowly full fused to seal the paint in glass, and then full fused to a larger piece for slumping into form.  I have just started this technique and it seems to be hugely popular and in demand.  I should have them ready for the Ridgeway Rendezvous in early August.  Bet all three will sell!

It's All About the Show!

A shot of my booth at Steamboat Springs, Art in the Park.  So much beautiful artwork in one place!  I just can't make those birdbaths fast enough...never even got a picture of Glass Fishpond. 

Paint in Glass

I did this mountain scene as a test for fusing schedules to minimize bubbling. Fusing the painted glass separately then fusing and slumping into a final piece was definitely the right formula,  This is the way to go and I look forward to doing a number of pieces using this technique.

Lamps, etc...

They finally came out with a lampshade mold for smaller kilns.  This should prove productive.

Garden Pansies Birdbath

Finished....

Table Done

Between broken plates and broken saws, it is finally done.  Ready in time for Strawberry Days in Glenwood Springs next weekend.