The Three Graces - Part 2

 Some more images of the Three Graces panels before framing. The green and yellow slabs are closest to the effect I was looking for with subtle colours and a strong line. The blue slab is too strong a colour and photographs worse than it really is.

The last image shows all three side by side. I just hope someone at Rose Bay markets wants a unique sculptural piece for their home.

The Three Graces - Part 1

Working deep again on three 250 x 190 x 21 mm panels. The finished slab is shown above and two of the pieces in the kiln before firing are below. There are 8 layers of Spectrum glass in each piece and are dammed with ceramic fibre board and the kiln posts are there to restrict movement as the glass softens.

The plan is to have the three slabs framed as a triptych almost like an altarpiece. The nudes are based on some drawings by Auguste Rodin and Bella Pieroni but much simplified. The drawing is made with Glassline paint on the uppermost glass and therefore there are fewer air bubbles. Hopefully it will make a strong impression when framed and with the light from in front creating depth and a silhouette.

Australiana

"Sittin' at home last Sunday mornin' me mate Boomer rang
Said he was havin' a few people around for a barbie,
Said he might Kookaburra or two.
I said, "Sounds great, will Wallaby there?"
He said "Yeah and Vegemite come too".
So I said to the wife "Do you wanna Go, anna?".
She said "I'll go if Dingos".
So I said "Wattle we do about Nulla?"
He said "Nullabors me to tears, leave him at home."
We got to the party about two and walked straight out the kitchen to put some booze in the fridge. And you wouldn't believe it, there's Boomer's wife Warra sittin' there tryin' to Platypus!
Now, I don't like to speak Illawarra, but I was shocked, I mean how much can a Koala bear.
So I grabbed a beer, flashed me Wangarratta and went out and joined the party.
Pretty soon Ayers Rocks in and things really started jumpin'.
This Indian girl, Marsu, turns up, dying to go to the toilet but she couldn't find it.
I said to me mate Al, "Hey, where can Marsupial?"
He said "She can go outback with the fellas, she's probably seen a cockatoo".
Well just then Warra comes out of the kitchen with a few drinks for everybody.
Fairdinkum, you've never seen a Coolabah maid. I grabbed a beer and said, "Thanks Warra - tah".
A couple of Queensland at the party, one smellin' pretty strongly of aftershave. One of 'em sat down next to me and I turned to him and I said, "Ya know mate, Eureka Stockade!"
It was a really hot day; Oscar felt like a swim. He said to Ina, "Do you want a have a dip in the Riverina?" She said "I haven't got my Kosiosko".
Well Bo says, "Come in starkers, Wattle they care!" Ina says "What, without so much as a Thredbo?" Ah, Perisher thought! Has Eucumbine in yet?
Well a few of the blokes decided to play some cricket.
Boomer says "Why doesn't Wombat?" "Yeah, and let Tenterfield".
He said I should have a bowl but I was too out of it to play cricket so I suggested a game of cards. I said to Lyptus "Wanna game of Eucalyptus?" He said "There's no point mate, Darwins everytime."
Well Bill said he'd like a smoke. Nobody knew where the dope was stashed. I said "I think Merinos." But I was just spinning a bit of a yarn. Barry pulls a joint out of his pocket. Bill says "Great, Barrier Reefer, what is it mate?" "Noosa Heads of course. Me mate Adelaide 'em on me." And it was a great joint too, Blue Mountains away and his Three Sisters
Well I thought I'd roll one meself, I said "Chuck us the Tally Hobart". He said "They're out on the Laun, Ceston, can you get em for us?" Burnie says "Its okay mate, she's apples, I'll get em for ya"
Just then Alice Springs into action, starts to pack Billabong. And you wouldn't believe it, the bongs broken. I said "Lord Howe!"
"Hay-man" somebody says "Will a Didgeridoo?" I said "Hummmmm mummmm mummmmm mummmmm maybe it'll have to."
I look in the corner and there's Bass sitting there, not getting into it, not getting out of it, I said "What, is Bass Strait or something?" Boomer says "As a matter a fact mate, he's a cop" I said "Ya jokin' mate, a cop, I'm getting outta here, lets Goanna." She said "No way, I'm hangin round till Gum leaves. Besides, I dont wanna leave Jacardanda party on his own. Have you seen him? I think he's trying to crack on Toowoomba, he's already tried to Mount Isa And he'll definitely try to lead you Australiana!"
Austen Tayshus

The number one single in 1983......Crikey!!

Kilncarving

“Kilncarving is a term coined at Bullseye to describe a simple kilnforming process that achieves a bas relief, textured, or sculpted look in glass. The process involves cutting a pattern or design in ceramic fiber paper, then stacking glass on top of the pattern and firing the piece in a kiln. During firing, the underside of the glass conforms to the ceramic fiber paper pattern, assuming its contours and textures. Kilncarving is a good beginning technique" - from bullseyeglass.com

It really is a simple technique but has great possibilities for homeware - the plate above has 'fromage' embossed to surface - and more artistic pieces. I have been playing with the contour function in Adobe Photoshop and converting images into contour maps. Thought some portraits might be interesting and will layer ceramic fibre to build up the facial features. If it works I'll post some pictures. For now I'll produce a range of plates for people wanting something special for their barbeques and dinner parties.

Jade Oakley Mobiles

Jade Oakley graduated top of her HSC year and in Fine Art from COFA in 1997. Her paper sculpture mobiles are unique, interesting, beautiful and shown at Australian Galleries in Sydney and Melbourne. They are in collections all over the world and it was a great privilege and learning experience to help a practising artist with a project. Getting an understanding of how Jade gets from concept to sculpture was fascinating.

Jade normally works with paper creating intricate mobiles that are reminiscent of chandeliers. She wanted to experiment with glass and these are the first results. The hooks are fired into the glass and the armatures and rock stand added later.

Sadly she did not persevere with producing larger works and it's a shame because they are really good. With some iridescent glass the mobile sparkles in the light as the wind catches the shapes. If only I had thought of it!!

People are like stained glass windows...the Nude Back

"People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within"

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Recently I have been experimenting with what Bullseye call ' working deep' - that is layers of glass fused on a long cycle that create more depth to the piece. This nude back is made from 8 layers of 250 x 250 mm clear glass so ends up about 210 mm thick and takes 36 hours in the kiln to allow for annealing and less chance of thermal shock. 

The nude is drawn using a metal tip and Glassline paint - almost the same process as etching a print plate. Some powdered glass is also used to give some subtle colour blocks. The air bubbles are almost inevitable in a piece this size and thickness and I have not tried to eliminate them. To do so would mean a much longer hold at the top temperature.

The glass block is framed so it can be hung on a wall, or rather just off the wall as the idea is that the light shines through and the silhouette  appears on the wall behind (see above). It is heavy but the extra care in hanging is worth the effort for the effect of a very simple stained glass window.

Coasters aplenty

There is always a dilemma between producing pieces that sell and pieces that are more interesting to make but have limited appeal. Whenever I have a market stall day coming up I make coasters and plates. Coasters are simple to make and I can fit about 20 at a time in my kiln. The challenge is to make them more interesting. The coffee ring coasters above are a new line using Spectrum glass and Glassline paints. The paint is printed on to the glass and means the stain stays on the glass not on your table.

 

These are simple strip coasters made from left over glass. They are available at Gallery on Track, Blackshaw Road, Goulburn.