The Process
Each piece starts out as a plain sheet of glass on which I have previously
carefully planned a design, several different materials may be used and a range
of processes undertaken, to create the colour texture and depth in the pieces.
This can include metals, foils, steel mesh, glass frit, shards, nuggets, as well
as enamels powders, precious metals, copper, dichroic stringers to name but a
few. It is these materials that can be layered on the glass surface and fused
to create the final piece. Once this process has finished the glass is fired to
temperatures in excess of 800
° C. The fusing process takes around 30 hrs as the glass needs to be cooled
slowly to prevent thermal shock. If
however the piece is to be made into a vessel, then the piece will to be refired
& slumped on to a preformed mould, (This mould is a special mould made to withstand the high temperatures the kiln
reaches) at a calculated temperature according to the width and depth of the
particular piece. On the other hand the casting process takes a much more
calculated
firing schedule and timely cooling period in order to achieve a perfect cast.
In some cases a further process of cold working may be entered into like,
sandblasting, acid etching, hand polishing or engraving.
It is the combination of all of these materials & elements that make my work so individual and unique, Therefore I can honestly
say that no two pieces are the same. Kiln-formed glass is an exploration of
design and individuality and the preparation of each piece is what makes it in
to such a work of art.
