Glass fusing is more popular than ever. The originality and
quality of work I’m seeing in galleries, on websites and in our fusing groups
is amazing. With so many enticing techniques to try it’s tempting to copy other
artist’s work.
We all want guarantees that our limited time, hard work and
expensive materials will produce dependable, beautiful results every time. And
so, we play it safe and continually make the same reliable projects. Or we take
the easy route and reproduce other’s work that we find attractive.
But, it
doesn’t have to be that way. You can develop your own individual design style.
By applying a few simple concepts, your finished work and the time spent
creating it will be more rewarding and exciting.
1. 1 Be
Original!
It’s all be done before you argue. How can I be original,
you ask? Yes, it’s all been done. But even the simplest techniques seen through
your special artist’s lens and executed with your skilled hands can produce all
new results.
To advance beyond routine projects begin by examining art
that you admire. When you see a piece of art that really speaks to you, study
it. Reduce your admiration down to the most basic attribute of the art. What
really captures your interest? Is it the color, the shape or the imagery? Take
that feature, hold on to it, then put it aside temporarily. Look at another
piece of art. Identify the specific characteristic that you find attractive and
put that feature aside temporarily. Do this for a third piece of art. Study it
until you know exactly what trait appeals to you. Then take those three
characteristics and combine them and you’re guaranteed to design your own
original art.
2 2 Shape
Up!
One of the fastest and easiest things you can do to make
your art stand out is to give it a unique shape.
The most common shape for fused glass projects is the
square. Primarily, because it’s economical, there’s no waste. And, because
there’s very little cutting, it enables you to get right to the fun stuff,
building the design. It’s also popular with beginners and hobbyists with basic
cutting skills. By moving away for the square, you immediately increase the
visual value of your work.
The rectangle is popular for the same reasons. If you
change the shape of your square or rectangle, even slightly, you’re sure to
engage the viewer longer.
The circle is traditionally a very pleasing shape. It requires
a higher skill level to cut and therefore is more unique. But it also benefits
from innovative thinking and a fresh approach to the perimeter shape.
How to come up with new shapes?
I like to draw quick, no obligation sketches on note book
pages. I resist the urge to self-edit or limit the creative flow. The pencil
just glides over the paper making a mess of the previously clean white space. The
first few sketches usually resemble familiar, safe shapes and designs. But once
those are out of my head, suddenly there’s room to be more creative.
All new
shapes begin to develop.
During these exercises I’m free to draw the impossible.
I then take bits and pieces from the shapes that I find interesting
and remix them to create my own new, project profiles. And sometimes, if I’m
lucky, I even manage to figure out how to build the impossible ones.
3 3 Combine
Fusible Techniques
Exceptional glass art work is never made with one step or
one technique. Really exciting pieces are designed with substantial planning
that brings an unexpected pairing of components together. Combining different
techniques adds depth to the visual complexity of the art which further engages
the viewer.
Putting it into practice.
The beauty of this approach is the techniques don’t have to
be super difficult to have a positive impact on your new work. We all have our
favorite, trusted, go-to techniques. Start there.
Using a complimentary color scheme, make three individual
pieces, using three different methods. Cut the pieces up. Reinvent their roles
in your art. Move them around. Change the composition a few times. If nothing
thrills you, set them aside and let your creative subconscious have a turn.
Don’t force the grouping. I find that once I relieve the
pressure to solidify a design, one presents itself. And the new composition is
usually one that I otherwise would never have thought of. In cases like this, I
believe the physical, readymade pieces guide and influence the discovery of
innovative designs. Try it. You’ll be amazed how this abstract assembly opens
your mind to fresh ideas.
Trust yourself.
Design with confidence. Resist the impulse to compare
yourself or your work to others. Instead, blaze your own trail and don’t look
back. Take pride in your individuality and what you contribute to the craft.
Take risks to further develop your personal design style. Nurture
your unique artistic perspective and your creative spirit will flourish.
Happy fusing,
Lisa
Follow my
blog for more tips and tricks!
Artist
Website www.LisaVogt.net
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhOifd7wukk
Facebook www.Facebook.com/LisaJVogt
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhOifd7wukk
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Author
Website https://lisajvogtcom.wordpress.com/
Fusing for the Adventurous Webinar
July 24, 2018
Make a Fused Glass Sink Webinar
August 2, 2018
Fusing with Frit
September 20, 2018
Now Registering!
Advanced Glass Fusing 4-Day, Hands-on
Workshop
November
6-9, 2018
Gain knowledge! Build confidence! Get
inspired!
Join
me for this in-depth workshop held in my private studio.
Wesley
Chapel, Florida, 4-Day, Hands-on, Class size is limited.
Exceed
your expectations! In this intense, 4-day workshop you’ll utilize the many
advanced techniques today’s successful glass artists are using to elevate their
work from craft to fine art. This all-new program is ideal for ambitious glass
fusers ready to go bigger and explore more in-depth kiln forming techniques.
2 NEW
Videos are
here!
Fun
and Fanciful Fusing with Lisa Vogt New Video DVD. Make new project shapes, design with
vibrant colors and get excited about fusing again!
Advanced
Glass Fusing with Lisa Vogt New video DVD. Master combing, free
flows, pattern bars, creative slumping, extraordinary glass design and crafting
unique display stands.
Available here: http://www.lisavogt.net/shop.aspx?id=40
Check out my new writer’s blog.
Writer – Instructor – Artist
Relationships
fascinate me, and so I have another blog dedicated to the weird and wonderful
ways we interact with each other.
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