Making Colored Glass Ocean Life
Over the past few years I have been making colored glass ocean life forms using a hand torch. I am interested in using clear, popping colors that allow the light to shine through the form. In addition, I am inspired by all the patterns found in seaweed, corals, and even in water itself. Making colored glass forms involves playing around with all types of colored glass! Playing with color is funnest part of what I do.
Using Hand Torches and Bench Torches
Making colored glass water and coral forms required a new approach to working the glass rods. For years I used primarily clear transparent glass which was easily handled with just a glass hand torch. When using the colored rods I use a combination of a bench torch and a glass hand torch. I use the larger bench torch to heat, stretch, and shape the glass rods. After the colored rods are prepared I begin to assemble them using the large bench torch. This type of glass prep work is very meditative and relaxing!
Coral Forms with Beautiful Structure
There are so many crazy coral forms! Torch coral, brain coral, and fan coral are just a few that I am interested in making. I am drawn to the cell structure of brain corals and how these can be made into glass. I have made a few of these brain corals using clear glass. This colorless glass really glows! Recently, I have returned to finish a large Favia Brain Coral. This sculpture combines different colors of clear glass.
Two of my most complex coral form sculptures are now in the glass exhibit Embracing Narrative (March 4 – June 4) at the Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. This glass exhibition will be up through until June during the GAS Conference in Norfolk. The Chrysler Museum’s Perry Glass Studio will be hosting the Annual Glass Art Society conference Reflections from the Edge: Glass, Art, and Performance (June 1-3)
Making a Colored Glass Favia Brain Coral
There are many blog glass articles, glass sculpture portfolio, and videos on my website. Check out my About Emily Williams page to learn more about my past exhibitions and glass reviews. Please check out my website at www.emilywilliamssculpture.com.
The video below shows the time lapse creation of a small Favia Brain Coral form. Inspired by spontaneous drawing of solid coral forms, these sculptures are envisioned and structured as luminous glass drawings. I am using the glass rods as fluid line interpreting solid form into drawn volumes. I currently have a large version of this coral form combining color and transparent glass. A very exciting shift in the direction of my work!
