Gallery Progress

After many, many delays due to weather and local government regulations, we are finally making decent progress on completing the studio and gallery remodel.  The windows installation is wrapping up this week and the stucco repair should soon follow. The kilns, equipment and glass are being moved over the next week+, so production is just around the corner.  The gallery grand opening is also starting to shape up and is looking like it will be the latter part of June (provided the Town of Ridgway does not throw up any more barriers to finishing the work). 

I have attached a number of pics of the WIPs and finished work in the studio.  I will also post the Grand Opening date as soon as it is set.  Enjoy....

Pulling the porch off for the new windows in the middle of a snow storm.

Repainting in spring.

Front porch with new floor and wall--it will be display area for the gallery.

The settee are in the gallery display. Still have the floor to refinish.

The kiln shed!

The floor and wiring are in--ready for the kilns.

Le salle de bain.

We kept the original kitchen cabinets and rebuilt the countertops. 

The Official Aspen Light Glass Studio and Gallery

I have been away from the blog for a few months 'cause a big, BIG project was in the works.  I am now happy, no downright overjoyed, to announce the official new location for the Aspen Light Studio and Gallery in historic Ridgway, Colorado.  We made the purchase a couple of weeks ago and are in the process of a major renovation to convert this 1899 miner's house into the cutest studio and glass gallery.  We will be adding more glass product as part of the new location and a glass teaching center!  We hope to be ready to open in early summer so stay tuned for more details.  I will post the official grand opening information as soon as we are ready to go.

I have been working on this for well over 3 years and my lifelong dream is finally taking shape.  It just goes to show--never give up on what you believe in--just look forward, ignore all the distractions and develop a clear vision. 

Wholesalecrafts.com and AcreLasVegas.com

I was recently juried into Wholesalecrafts.com :)  I have decided to move into wholesaling with some of my production work and will be showing at the American Craft Retailers Expo (ACRE)  in Las Vegas in late April.  I am excited about casting the "broader net" and look forward to working with retail gift shops and galleries through wholesalecrafts.com.  Of course my principle focus will continue to be frit painting, but this allows me to sell and market my smaller work without all the drama associated with the local area galleries.

If you would like to "visit" my page click here and enter artist #27243 and pw - aspenlight.  Please keep in mind that I am just getting started with my product and hope to have it more robust in a couple of months.  If you are interested in placing an order, the site requires that you register as a retail buyer.

The Framing of Frit Paintings on Glass

Aaaah, the sweet smell of success!  I have finally conquered the impossible--I have successfully mounted the frit painting on glass and then set the base glass in a heavily fortified frame.  Thank you Hang Your Glass for creating the nesting mount.  It works fabulously for what I have wanted to do for a long time.

Cobblestone Bridge Translation Frit Painting

I recently received my second Donna Serafis workshop piece, Cobblestone Bridge Translation.  I am using this piece to design a glass-on-glass frame that will allow transmitted light, but is hang-ready.  I am having numerous requests for a piece that is framed and can be hung like a conventional painting, so I am working with a local frame shop to create a system that should work.  Stay tuned for the result!

Solo Mountain Frit Painting

Got the second frit painting into mama bear kiln this afternoon.  I should have both ready for Breckenridge on Friday.  My back is killing me as a result.  I'll post both once they are out of the kilns.

My Summer Garden Someday

These are my WIPS for the project underway.  The prefire (top) is still under construction--I am getting ready to build the foreground yellow daisies and the tree vignette.  Then it will be ready for final fire.  Hopefully, this will make it to Breckenridge this weekend.

Update--I just pulled it out of the kiln--it is the top photo.

Anne Nye Workshop Results

These are the two completed pieces from the Anne Nye workshop.  She is not only a fabulous instructor, but is willing to share her knowledge and experiences in marketing and promoting your work.  She provided so much insight into what to look for in galleries, online services that work and others not so much, and pricing work.  What an incredible wealth of information.

Anne Nye landscape Frit Painting Workshop

First day of the workshop at D&L Art Glass Supply.  Anne Nye's frit painting method is dramatically different than Donna Serafis' in that it relies on bold color interaction with no light transmission.  Now to see if I can find a way to blend the two methods into bold translucence.

Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts Exhibit

 Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts the morning after Patron's Night

 Calaway and Young Cancer Center

I am pleased to announce that Cherry Tree in Spring sold last night at the Patron's Night in the first round of bidding!  A wonderful affiliate of the hospital purchased my piece and he and his wife seem thrilled at their acquisition :)  I want to personally thank them for supporting my work, the arts and those who are traveling the cancer journey.  It was a magical night.  Thank you Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts and the Valley View Hospital Foundation for making it all possible.