Interesting discovery made recently!

One of my favorite glass projects is designing interesting candle bridges. Single bridges have been fairly popular for sales in galleries. But, I've often thought that the candle bridges that can hold four candles are preferable. Especially for meditating or creating a mood for creative work. Recently, it occurred to me that one of my four candle designs also looked like it might make a cool sushi plate. So, I tried it out on a friend of mine. Got a four plate order out of it.
I say Alright! The kiln is full of these plates as I write. Thus, pictures will come a bit later.

Getting Ready For Travel

Well, we're all excited around here as we begin preparation for a trip to Detroit. Why Detroit? Older son Egon is graduating with an M.F.A. in design from Cranbrook Academy of Art. An amazing place that is at the heart of design and its history. The entire campus was designed by Eliel Saarinen the architect and it is the place where Charles and Rae Eames met and did the pioneering work that led to their exciting careers in design. So, Egon has been there for two years and has been absorbing the culture and heritage along with deep design roots. Amazing. We can hardly wait to see both Egon and his wife. In keeping with growth in design, here's a Nautilus I photographed today.

The Week That Was!

Amazing week since my last post. Been having regular talks with my "self" about doing my least favorite things to do and doing them first, on a regular basis. And it's been working even struggling through the fatigue that loves to set in when the going gets really tough. Turns out that mowing the grass can be a relief (not to mention a profitable break). To keep some creativity flowing I have been experimenting with some scanner photography as seen with these shell images.

Following up my ass in gear.

Yes, it's true. For something to actually happen...taking action is required. ACTION. But, the organizing/planning is important first as long as it doesn't turn into paralysis by analysis. So, ready-aim-fire is preferable to fire-ready-aim. See! Waxing philosophic is an excellent way of postponing ACTION.

Getting One's Ass In Gear!

Well, this is always one of those things we talk about doing...and then talk about doing...and then... You know the drill. So, I'm really attempting to come to grips with this and while meditating on it, the thought came: organize yourself and everything will fall into place. Uh, huh! As you might imagine, that organizing stuff never gets further than piles for me. As long as I've got plenty of open flat space, my filing system works just fine. Of course now that we live on five acres it would appear that I have almost an infinite filing opportunity. But, right now it's snowing on the flat outside so, inside organization is where it's at. Let's see where it leads today. Starting with image organization. More later.

Eye Of The Beholder!

This work captures an interesting view point created by the introduction of a bubble at a strategic location in the elliptical format of surrounding glass. In the first image, the piece has been placed in a window revealing the effect of both light and the exterior environment as seen through the fused glass piece. Note the clarity of image seen through the lens created by the bubble. The second image shows even lighting across the entire piece.

Working toward a new creative direction.

I'm working on some new experimental pieces in preparation for a series of work featuring all the Chakras. Light through the glass is so magical to
me that it just seems natural to include that design element as part of works that might be healing in
one way or another.

Candle Bridges Are Perfect For Holiday Gifts

This is one of my favorite Candle Bridge designs. The candle sits in the square indentation at the top of the bridge. Excellent for creating a mood as gentle light in the evening, or better yet, for use in meditation. Colors are somewhat mysterious and evocative as they cast themselves on reflective surfaces. All-in-all a Candle Bridge is just pleasant to use with favorite candles for any purpose.

More Fused Glass Pieces for Holiday Art & Gift Show

Entitled "High Plains Desert" this piece was inspired by a spring landscape at sunset in the high desert country around Bend, Oregon. These colors are particularly beautiful when light pours through from the back. Designed to sit in a stand (in this case clear plastic) this piece is like a bas relief in that the surface undulates along the curvilinear edges on one side and on the other
side has a clear design embossed into the glass.
It works well when placed in a window for access to the light.

Thankful Pondering Of The Universe

Some of my most cherished moments are the times that my assistant, Louie, helps me with various glass projects. Here, he is contemplating a kiln cast block that has a universal spiral element incorporated into it. Louie's story is interesting in that he was given to us by a sweet niece who thought he might benefit from life in the country. She got him as a kitten while she was going to law school in St.Louis. So, she named him St.Louis and called him Louie Louie. Now, I ask you. How can you not love someone called Louie Louie. Considering my past with the song Louie Louie and that at one point awhile back quite a lot of people thought that Louie Louie ought to be the national anthymn my relationship with this Louie is profound. Not to mention that he gives great advice on my various art projects, most importantly my glass work.

Rhythms Of The Landscape

Through fusing, molding and slumping, this curvilinear piece captures my feelings as I look out upon the Willamette Valley landscape. The inspiration is never ending always seeming to begin anew.

Fused Glass Pieces for Holiday Art & Gift Show

This fused glass plate is part of my Rio Caliente series. All reasonably priced. The design was inspired by a trip to Guadalajara, Mexico and the Rio Caliente Spa in the nearby mountains. The river comes out of the mountain at 174 degrees fahrenheit. At the spa, the water is cooled and put in pools at about 104 degrees. While meditating in the hot mineral waters, the design revealed itself.

Weather Hits The Fan In Oregon

Clearly the almost year has whipped by in rapid fashion since my first post in Dec.09. Really had the best of intentions back then, but we all know what can happen to that. So, I'm going to give it another shot. And that's something for me to be thankful about as we approach Thanksgiving this week. Today, the weather is working up some serious snowfall, so it's a good time for some artistic reflection. Glasswork is at the forefront of activity now as we prepare for the Holiday Art & Gift Show that the Keizer Art Association is putting on this year. It runs from December 4 to 24 at the Enid Joy Mount Gallery (KAA) 980 Chemawa Rd. NE in Keizer, Oregon. As I ascertain exactly what I am going to be offering, I will post some photos of the work here. Wish me luck and persistance.

A Traveler in CyberSpace/Universe

Well, this is indeed a momentous occasion for me. My very first blog. This is going to be primarily about how I'm finding my way through the various paths of social media that I'm thinking is like a journey in CyberSpace. It's kind of a kick really. I don't want to just blather on about whatever thoughts may flit through my mind. So, I'm going to use this blog as a focal point for all the other stuff I'm in pursuit of in C Space. My main thread is creativity as expressed through a variety of media. At present my media of choice is fused glass. As pieces develop, I'll post photos here in hope of getting some feedback. Concurrently, I'm going to explore the possibilities of marketing my work via the internet. Not entirely sure how that might work at this point, but I'll keep posting my trials and tribulations as I go. A website is in the works and I don't mind telling you designing your own site isn't the piece of cake we might have been led to believe.

Miriam, my wife, and I have recently completed the installation of the Selby Holiday Art Show. Miriam does superb collages and fused glass art is my emphasis in this show. The show runs until the end of December at the Keizer Art Association's Enid Joy Mount Gallery, 980 Chemawa Rd. NE, in Keizer, Oregon. To get a flavor of the show search Selby Holiday Art Show on YouTube. Keizer Ch23 did a video for us that really captures the essence of the show.