It's All About Perspective

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I had a conversation with someone recently about the weeds, dandelions to be precise, in their lawn which they are trying so desperately to rid themselves of. It reminded me of these photos and how excited my niece had been each time she encounter a dandelion on one of our walks in the woods. A nuisance to some, an absolute delight to others all depending our one's perspective. There's a lesson to be learned here I'm sure.

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Completed Half Leather Five Cord Book

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Above: Front and back covers of a 9 x 12.5" book. The book contains 15 signatures each made from one sheet of Hahnehuhle Schiller paper torn into quarters, folded and punched. The signatures were sewn along with five cords to create the text block (as seen in a previous post) and then bond in a style medieval in origin. The spine and corners are covered in a half leather binding. A fine Japanese marble paper covering the remaining surface and inside covers. The headbands and deblure were done in a contrasting leather. The curves of the front cover are picked up on the back bottom corner, contrasting the other straight lines of the book.

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 I love that in making my own art journals, my hands are now contributing to every step of the creation process for my glass work. From creating the place I store and develop my ideas for projects to the creation of the project itself. It all takes places in/with my hands. The design ideas beginning with the creation of the  book itself.

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Basic Black and White

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 3 Pieces of Black and White Kilnformed Glass

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Recently a buddy of mine decided that one good way to decrease work related stress and increase her productivity would be to decorate her workspace creating an atmosphere that was enjoyable and positive. She began coordinating fabrics, photo frames and folders with black and white designs. Such was her enthusiasm that I also jumped on the bandwagon wanting to make my own contribution to her new work environment.

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I often talk about kilnformed glass being functional. Well, here are a couple of pieces in action. The four inch sushi plate is serving as a coaster to protect the wooden desk from condensation. The three inch dish is the perfect place to hold your rings when putting on a bit of  lotion or a fancy pair of dangling earring when on an extended phone call, thus ensuring they wouldn't get misplaced. Art and fine craft and not just things to admire. They are things we should feel comfortable living with and enjoying.

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Asta de Toro Azul - The Horn of the Blue Bull

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4" and 10" Soda Lime Glass 
Kilnformed and Coldworked Sushi Plates

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The idea for this particular series began in a rather ordinary way. Just about everyday I put on the same sentimental pieces of jewelry; my wedding ring, an infinity bracelet and a bangle bracelet made from the horn of a bull. The bangle bracelet was  a gift from one of my Tias upon returning from a trip to Nicaragua. I've worn it for years. One day, probably while sitting in traffic or when on a long phone call, I began looking closely at the striations in the band.  A linear pattern with variation in color and texture. For weeks, when board, I would distract myself by contemplating how to achieve this look in glass. When I came upon just the right glass I began working on this idea. During the creation process, small details from my original inspiration became more elaborate as I took work to the torch, lathe and sandblaster. Above and below are some of the functional pieces created as part of this series. To the left, a 19 x 21" framed tack fused piece incorporates elements pulled in the flame, the sketch of my imagined bull sandblasted and filled with black enamel, and a segment of the final glass used to create this functional series. It is my glass art journal telling the story of my process, of time and temperature and of inspiration.

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6" Cast Soda Lime Glass
Footed Bowls with Torch Worked Details

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These pieces are currently on display at 
Artisans in Fredericksburg, Texas.

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 Artisans has recently be receiving some rave reviews and deservedly so. Check out what Elizabeth Ross had to say about them on About.com.
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