This is my latest learning experience. It is glass fusing and I have discovered how to combine photography and glass. FUN! What do you think?

it's interesting. I hope you enjoy it, that's what it's all about.

Thanks Tony for your response. I really would like you to comment more. Yes, I loved the learning process but the final result is just the beginning. Now I need to know if it is direction that could lead to something more. So as was said a long time ago.... sock it to me!

Hi Peggy Sue,

Thanks for sharing these. I think that all three are just fine. They are certainly different than what we usually critique around here - and as a result, I am still thinking about how I feel about them. As you have photographed them all differently (in terms of angle, etc), it is a bit difficult to compare them in an apples to apples way because the impression of the 3 images is very different for me.

As far as images themselves go, I feel that the 2nd and 3rd are both very beautiful. The horse reminds me of a carosel. The 3rd shot of the Jag - well... Who doesn't have a soft spot for the E Type? In my mind, still one of the most beautiful cars ever made.

The first image of the cat feels very different than the 2nd and 3rd. The drawing seems much simpler in its design than the others. However, it is still very nice and better than anything I could ever dream of doing. :P

Cheers,
James

PS Peggy Sue, how did you go about making these?

Peggy Sue,
I love the effect: tell me more about how you do it. The end product is very interesting and it brings a lot of images immediately to mind in terms of which would be appropriate for that treatment.

Is this something you plan to market? It has real potential.

Jim

These are really beautiful, with the carousel horse my favorite too. I could see these demanding a high price

This process has been a great learning experience and the combining of photography in the work has been frustrating. I had to produce 60 pieces for this class so I have a bunch of scrap glass. That being said, I am looking to work more in this medium.

The sizes of the pieces that I put up are 12 inches by 12 inches. Once you fuse the glass you can slump it into all different shapes. I make my own molds and have purchased some. I will be making my own stand for future art glass.

I am posting the image of the leopard that I started with. Since the process is only in black and white and when fired, about 1400 degrees, it becomes sepia toned. I then paint with color that can fire to the same temperature. Yes, I do have kilns but not one that I fire glass. (Looking to put that on my wish list) This process uses fusable glass, stain glass does not work.

I know this is a photo forum. With photography being such a great medium, I feel combining other artforms with our images can add to our discovery. I do not think photography has always gotten the most respect in the art world. Since I do some shows, that will be the test market before I hit the galleries. I will let you know the response. Since I find this is an expensive medium, it will have to create a good return. I purchase glass from Ed Hoy and various other glass suppliers.

James, I agree with you on the XKE. It was my car for the last twenty years and we sold it last year. That piece is for a our local PPA all day judging where we challenge each other to push the boundaries of competition printing. I love doing collages and this one helps with my therapy of not having the car! I miss it.

Our professor mentioned that there is a printer that can print in glass to be transfered and then fired. Oh, lord, only knows how much that costs! If we get one I will be thrilled to show you the results.

Thanks for the questions.

Hey Peggy Sue,

"I am posting the image of the leopard that I started with. Since the process is only in black and white and when fired, about 1400 degrees, it becomes sepia toned. I then paint with color that can fire to the same temperature. Yes, I do have kilns but not one that I fire glass. (Looking to put that on my wish list) This process uses fusable glass, stain glass does not work. "

Can you talk more about the process of how this gets transferred?

James

PS Just for amusement, I went on Ebay looking at the old E-types. Did you know that they are selling, in good shape, from 60,000 to 120,000?????

Asking and selling are not exactly the same. Mine was the 2+2 and an inline six. The ones that go high are the roadsters and 12s. When I lived in England the one I had was my favorite. It was more for the American market with air conditioning. The image I did on glass is for the competition called "On the Edge". Every entry has the same title. It is more of a personal note since this really is still on the edge for me since I miss the car but I think it was always the most cutting edge car ever designed.

The paper the photos are printed for is produced for doing just this. Firing had been tricky in the beginning but now I think I have it down. Just as I thought that some firings went wrong!

When I get with the company that produces printing "inks" that are made with glass I will post some. Like so many other mediums there seems to be a long learning curve. Painting on the glass then firing again has been fun and helped add color now. I am not thrilled with the glassline paint that fires to 1400 degrees plus since it seems to be matt. Of course that could be operator error.

I thank the critique on photographing glass since I seem to need some refreshing on getting the translucent quality to these pieces. Thanks for the help.