Watercolor technique. That’s fun to say. It immediately paints a picture in my mind. I see soft color washes detailing the delicate images of a dreamy scene.
For artists familiar with the mechanics of glass fusing creating a painterly quality in glass is an exciting new concept. We’re comfortable with the rigid, linear appearance of our geometric designs. And why not, they’re easy to build and they deliver visually dramatic results.
I’m here to tell you that creating pictorial scenes, decorated with nature themed subjects is equally rewarding and satisfying to fabricate and display. At first glance, these projects appear tedious to build. But once you see how easy it is to make lush backgrounds and three-dimensional florals you’ll be hooked.
Finding inspiration.
I’m always on the lookout for inspiration for new design ideas and new techniques to try. When I’m actively on the hunt for fresh material I silence the conformist and let my muse run free. I look more closely at everyday items and routine scenes to find a hidden perspective I can build off. It’s especially fun when two unrelated items, that are unrelated to glass, merge and solidify a design image in my mind. My Succulent series was born because of such an unusual pairing
I purchased a bowl that I thought would look pretty on my kitchen countertop. When we cut fresh vegetables for dinner, we put the trimmings in the bowl. Later, the contents are dropped in our compost bin in the back yard. I liked the bowl for the edgy floral pattern. The soft cranberry and green colors also attracted me. It inspired the beginning of a design, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted more than just flowers. I wanted to create a sense of space and a feeling of peaceful joy. I found the inspiration I was seeking on the label of a bottle of organic dog shampoo! My daughter bought it for our happily spoiled pups. One day the bottle was sitting on her bathroom counter. The label’s leafy design and earthy colors caught my attention. I liked the green and yellow colors and the shapes of the plants. I thought the vertical design direction would be the perfect complement to the round shape of the succulent flowers.
Advanced fusing design.
I took what I liked from each design and merged them together. I believe the spontaneity of the combination is what gives the artwork a refreshing appeal. Designing engaging patterns greatly adds to the pleasure of building personalized, original art. This approach to glass fusing is easy to apply once you allow yourself the freedom to re-imagine the possible. Once you learn to trust your creative spirit, innovative ideas flood in.
Want to learn more?
Check out my Simple Pleasures video. In this video I show you step-by-step how I come up with my design ideas and how I execute them. Plus, I share my project specific firing guides that I’ve developed and tested to ensure you have success. You’ll love this artistic technique and the striking projects that are included in the video. Watching flat glass go from a lifeless single color to a radiant color blends and washes is amazing.
Happy Fusing!
Lisa
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Advanced Glass Fusing Class, 4-Day, Hands-on Workshop, April 29 – May 2, 2025
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Join me for this intense workshop held in my private studio. Wesley Chapel, Florida, 4-Day, Hands-on, Class size is limited to 4. All class materials re included.
In this class, you’ll push the boundaries art glass imposes. Students will explore innovative approaches to design and combine multiple advanced techniques to construct original art that reflects their own personal style. You’ll enjoy: the one-on-one instruction, making multifaceted projects, the well-equipped classroom, and the intimate class size.
You’ll love the concentrated, in-depth study and creative momentum you’ll gain while actively producing, nonstop for four consecutive days. You’ll leave class with a working knowledge of kiln operation, custom project specific firing guides, and the inspiration you’ve been craving to go bigger and do more elaborate works of fused glass art!
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