Cruising At 100+ And Trying Not To Crash!
Kathie and Kory - Dreamy Fused Glass
Far out looking reflection of two wonderful artists. My we have fun!
This post is shorter than usual as my trusty old 2012 Dell hacktop, the one I paid $200 for in 2017, is about to join the likes of ENIAC, but instead of being held in a museum, it will become a heap of delicious micro-plastic.
I got my money’s worth considering I purchased it from a 20-ish year-old kid driving an old, tortured Toyota Corolla as we met on the agreed neutral territory of a Home Depot parking lot. It had all the feel of buying a couple grams of blow. But, alas, after seven years of my Tilting at Window$, it is doomed.
DOOMED I tell you, DOOOOOMED!
However, before it gives that last inglorious shudder and the lights flicker out beneath a silent puff of acrid white smoke, I will cautiously attempt to ride this crate over the finish line. As those last remaining electrons in their protest to exit this floundering ship like the fading, distant glimmer of a lightning storm that refuses to give up, I must advise my fabulous readers that after this post, I may go dark for a spell as I bring the new computer to heel. It sits there now, making my old Dell a little nervous. So that said, here goes.
Mermaid Under Construction
This stunning-to-be mermaid by Lori La Rue is made from several materials. It is part fused glass, melt glass (there is a difference), painted glass and beads - all on one of my sweetgum frames. It has yet to be grouted, but it is going to be a knockout! Lori is already a master and is one of the many super-talented people who come to classes by Kory Dollar of Marvelous Mosaic and Fine Art at The Manor in Deer Island, Oregon.
The above piece is another melt glass project by Kory. I’ll show better pictures next post when I can edit them.
If you think you would be interested in joining us in the glass and wood artist community, please contact her or myself. You can ask anything in the comment section below for more detail. We get people from all around the globe! From Puerto Rico to South Korea, from New York to Canada, and from Saudi Arabia to Singapore. Come join us! We. Have. Fun!
100 Is A Very Good Number!
Math nerds will probably dispute me over this, but it seems that most people love round numbers. For myself, I see numbers as visual patterns that also evoke a feeling. For example, the number 10 evokes a nice and familiar image as the fingers on my hands - thanks in no small part to my not being reckless with my table saw! Good old 50 has a bulky feel to it and makes for a nice piece of currency to have in my wallet. But, the legendary 100 has an almost tangible context, as if it were made of steel.
Stay with me here, I have a point! \（◔_◔）?
Perhaps it is the simplicity of a round figure such as 100 as opposed to 98 or 102 that gives it such appeal. 100 has a firmness to it, a solidness we can all easily count.
But not as solid as my treasured readers that pushed me to 100 subscribers and beyond! As of this writing, I have 105 of you wonderful friends!
( ๑‾̀◡‾́)σ" WOO HOO! Thank you all for being awesome!
Yes, I know, those serious writers on Substack can lose 100 subs after posting some turgid article and not even notice. But for me, a total novice who nearly flunked English in High Screwl, it is most humbling. So thank you all, most sincerely.
I haven’t many photos to share as my pirated copy of Photoshop is now unavailable as this old machine continues crashing and dropping programs with alacrity, but I do have a few new and remarkable art projects that keep us ever so motivated that we can’t wait to get up the next day to continue the journey.
(Incidentally, if anyone has a copy of Photoshop they are willing to part with, this guy urgently needs it in order to bring you the vivid and detailed pictures of our artwork. The cost of purchasing it new is beyond my pay-grade.)
But I have these:
The Power Of Kilns
These glass flowers are made over several steps. It begins using this stuff called “Frit” which is a ground or powdered glass of various color. This frit is put in a vertical kiln and extracted from the bottom. The stripes are the result of carefully placed different color frit so that it melts into the desired pattern. Next it gets pulled and twisted into ribbon, rope or other crazy forms. It is a hot and tiring process, but when you see it issuing from the kiln and going from red-hot to cool into its final color and shape, it is really quite something to behold.
Next the pieces are cut to size and re-fired in another kiln and often placed in an array so that they fuse to each other. I’m sure there are a lot of steps I’m leaving out, but this gives you an idea of the process. It is hot and exhaustive work but highly rewarding. The results speak of all the experience required to pull this off!
Fused and Melt Glass Frames (here’s where the post gets truncated)
Below are just a few images of the melt glass I was able to frame, however, due to my lack of photo editing software, I can only offer these lame raw images.
Frame made from live-edge cedar with a clear acrylic finish.
Teak frame with Minwax® “Old English” hand-rubbed finish. Due to the weight of the piece, I used a mortise and tenon joint and secured them with dowels. The lopsided cutouts along the inside was carved in order to give relief to the uneven surface of the piece.
I expect to be back here in a couple weeks. I’ve got a lot on my plate as our water heater sprung a leak (yeah, fun, right?) and with the new computer comes configuring all the apps and programs plus customization. I am also going to reorganize the music studio so I can finally integrate the computers, peripherals and keyboard into one spot.
All of this took a back seat while I was having major health issues. The good news is I am actually healing! My hat is off to Nurse Carwood and her assistant Kelsey in getting it right after my dealing with the less than optimal people at a different medical institution. I now have to do the really painful physical therapy in order that I may walk without assistance and be able to work in the woodshop for more than a couple hours at a stretch.
I again want to thank all of you wonderful subscribers, it makes my efforts here seem worth it. I do this mainly to showcase not only my own work, but that of my exquisitely loving wife Kathie, our cherished friend and master-glasster Kory Dollar of Marvelous Mosaic and all the other artists that make this world a more beautiful and positive place to be part of.
Don’t want to subscribe? Make a one time donation and buy me a coffee, you decide how much.
I enjoy looking at all your creations, Dave. Keep posting the pictures. Best to you and congrats on the big 100!
Another fun and interesting read by my wonderful husband! You’ve become quite a good blogger. Keep it up, I look forward to your posts. 😘