Sydney Harbour Scenes

After successfully exhibiting at the Waverley Woollahra Art Show I have begun a new series of 'glass etchings' featuring views of Sydney Harbour. I expect there to be about twelve in total all showing off the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

They are really time consuming as the fusible glass paint has to be applied using a modified (cake) icing bag onto a piece of Spectrum 96 clear. This is then place on top of a solid coloured opal piece and fused overnight. Once fused the piece is framed though there is no need for a cover glass of course but still the mat has to be cut and the frame squared off.

Again these are more for the out of Sydney visitors and are less easy to pack than a small plate. They would fit into a suitcase though and wrapped well in between clothes they will withstand the worst that airport baggage handlers can throw at them.

As they are executed I'll post pictures later so watch this space.

New work - Gum Trees

I want to produce pieces that are functional and aesthetic avoiding anything too kitsch or 'Australiana'. However, clearly 60% of the visitors to Paddington Markets are tourists and they are looking for something not only unique but also to remind them of their time in Sydney and Australia. With that in mind I have started a new series based on the bark of the gum tree; the scribbly gum to be more precise.

The technique is somewhat time consuming in that the various shades of brown, ochre, gray and ivory Glassline fusible glass paint is painted onto a piece of clear Spectrum 96. The colours are then mixed and merged using a cockatoo feather - how Aussie is that??!

The single sheet is then fused overnight. The 'gum tree' sheet is then recut and a new design is created with more S96 clear. This double layered piece is again fused overnight and then slumped overnight into the mould. They look great and I hope my overseas visitors think so too.

So far so good...

A big thank you to E and G for dropping by last week and buying some glass. Really appreciate the long drive to Paddington. This photo has also made me realise that I seem to have adopted a markets uniform of brown leather jacket and Swans beanie....The jacket has been with me all over the world since 1978 and is beginning to show its age...physically and style-wise. Maybe I need some advice from MZ at Shine by Three (http://fellt.com/shinebythree/2012/07?page=2). Mind you it is bitterly cold at the markets and seemingly there is always a brisk breeze blowing down Newcombe Street mall. I can't display anything taller than 20 centimetres in case a gust blows it over onto other pieces.

E & G received a 10% discount....and so can you if you come to Paddington and mention this blog!!
Bring something warm to wear!!

Waverley Woollahra Arts School Show 2012

This piece, entitled Undressing (after Lambourne) was selected for the 2012 Waverley Woollahra Art Show. I am really pleased to have been selected and although not a winner in the Mixed Media section it was great to be able to expose (sic) my work to a larger audience. Next year I will attempt something larger and more ambitious to incorporate glass and textile art.

Paddington Markets Update

Well so far so good(ish) and after four weeks I am ahead after costs despite the perfect storm for small retailers - low tourist traffic, low sales demand and winter weather!! Absolutely the right decision and just have to persevere and learn some patience. A huge thank you to all those that have bought from me and all of the encouragement and positive feedback.

Paddington Markets is situated in the grounds of the heritage listed sandstone Paddington United Church amidst Victorian terraces and modern art galleries of the beautiful city fringe suburb of Paddington. Easy to get to by bus and with over 600,000 visitors each year it is Sydney's 6th most popular destination for tourists.

The Markets showcase the best of Australian contemporary art, craft and design directly by the designers and makers at their stalls. The Markets have operated since 1973 and are a fantastic place to visit and find unique and special gifts. So, what are you waiting for - come visit Savitrine Glassworks at Paddington Markets and have a great day out. Mention this blog entry for a 10% discount!!

Now at Paddington Markets every Saturday!!!

Savitrine Glassworks can now be found trading at Paddington Markets every Saturday, rain or shine,  from 10:00 til 16:00. This is a major step forward in getting my work exposed to a wider audience and in selling some products to finance the business. Every week there will be up to 60 glass pieces available for sale from small bowls to framed glass panels. We will of course continue to accept commissions if you want something made exclusively for your home, office or as a gift.

Come to Paddington and say hello - 10% discount if you mention this blog entry!!

Baffled, bemused and bewildered

Having launched the Savitrine Glassworks online gallery and shop I was reflecting on how far I have come in 18 months and the techniques I have developed and the experiments I have tried to produce different glass pieces. I figure that there are 8 techniques I use often and am (relatively) confident in employing. It got me thinking about what else I have seen and read about. I counted over 40 so that means I am about 20% there. Not bad really!!
So here they all are;

1. Fire Polishing
2. Tack Fusing
3. Full Fusing
4. Metal inclusions
5. Mould making (definitely need more practice!!)
6. Glass Paint & Mica
7. Glass Chalk and Clay
8. Cold Combing
9. Hot Combing
10. Freeze and Fuse
11. Foam Glass
12. Making my own Art Glass sheets
13. Stack Firing
14. Pattern Bars
15. Deep Casting and Layering
16. Kiln Carving
17. Pate de Verre
18. Kiln Casting
19. Wafers & Cookies
20. Sandblasting
21. Acid Etching
22. Murrini
23. Pot Melts
24. Woven Glass & Coral Bowls
25. Raku Glass a la Lundstrom
26. Laminating
27. Glass and Print
28. Multi Layering
29. Deliberate Bubbles
30. Paperweights
31. Frit balls, Frit Gardens
32. Photographic Decals
33. Mosaic
34. Stringer Bowls
35. Enamels & Lustres
36. Crackle Glass
37. Pressed Glass
38. Vitrigraph Stringers
39. Vertical Pattern Bars
40. Reactive Glass
41. Stained Glass (using fused panels)
42. Fossil Vitra (using organic material)

No wonder I am bemused and bewildered!! Over the next 12 months I want to try the next 32 techniques and push my work so that I develop a distinctive style and improve my design process.

The good news is that I am starting to sell pieces and putting money aside to get a sandblaster and bigger kiln. It's all a bit like the church steeple fund - one day I'll get there and can set up a permanent studio at Daramalan and I will have the confidence to enter competitions and contact galleries.