Lisa Vogt Art Adventure Blog: April 2018

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Upscale Fusing

You might wonder, what does upscale fusing mean?

Upscale fusing is the intentional pairing of complimentary design ideas to elevate the overall visual power of your artwork. It’s a simple concept that’s easily implemented. Combine this theory with your artistic flare, and you’ll rapidly advance your glass work from craft to fine art.

In the following examples I’ll show you how I put these ideas into practice.

Blue Beauty

Blue Beauty is a wonderful example of using visual texture to lure the viewer in and hold their attention. The woven center, made with iridized black strips, creates a focal point that intrigues the viewer. Then the linier band along the bottom invites the eye to move over and around the rest of the art. The tight linier pattern is also a welcome contrast to the openness of the background. Here, the airy color palate of blues and greens playfully call for further reflection.

Grape Tray

Grape Tray is terrific example of the power of shape to engage the viewer. This is a simple design, but the unique profile combined with the clever representation of the heavily patterned glass is a winning combination.

Fancy Feathers

Fancy Feathers is an example of reinforcing the focal point, the flashy peacock feather, by including a background that enhances the key subject. Here, I use a subtle pattern that represents the tight feathers that run along a peacock’s neck to add interest and purpose to the background. This is also a great example of going out of bounds by designing a unique shape that viewers don’t anticipate but love.

Lock & Key

Lock and Key is a fun example of how delivering a message can create a more intimate bond between the art and viewer. Here the recognizable images, the lock and key invite the viewer to linger longer to consider what deep message the artist might be trying to convey.

Amber Round

Amber Round is an excellent example of using color and pattern to seduce the viewer. Here the sweeping lines, contrasted by the solid black lines is a lively combination that’s irresistible.

Golden Aspen

Golden Aspen has it all. The striking imagery, embossed texture, tower style profile and custom glass pedestal give it a gallery quality, sculptural presence that viewers are drawn to. It’s the innovative combination of visual treats that make this piece of art memorable.

The individual techniques used to make these projects are easy. It’s the pairing of different methods that make these pieces of art exceptional. The work, and fun are in the planning and the execution.

On your next project, try blending two or three of your favorite techniques. The results will be nothing short of amazing.

Happy fusing,

Lisa

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Upscale Fusing Webinar

April 24, 2018

Register here: https://www.glasspatterns.com/glass-patterns-quarterly-store/product/1192-upscale-fusing-with-lisa-vogt-april-24-2018.html

Incorporating pattern and texture to elevate and refine your fusing style are the focus of this in-depth webinar. Join me and learn how to tastefully blend various cutting-edge techniques to add dimension and volume to your work. With the pro's secrets revealed, you'll be on the fast-track to developing winning combinations that’ll get your work noticed!

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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.

Register here: http://www.lisavogt.net/products.aspx?id=477

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!

Available here: http://www.lisavogt.net/shop.aspx?id=40

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.

Check out my new writer’s blog.

Lisa J. Vogt

Writer – Instructor – Artist

Relationships fascinate me, and so I have another blog dedicated to the weird and wonderful ways we interact with each other.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Why Make Boring When You Can Make Beautiful?

We recently went to an arts and crafts show. I was happy to see fused glass well represented among booths brimming with nature paintings, fancy greeting cards, beaded jewelry and plenty of other artsy creations.

I cruised the fused glass booths and noticed a trend. The tables were overflowing with plain drink coasters, small, single color rectangular dishes and simple square plates. The occasional floral former vase stood out here and there. And the few bowls made with Fuser’s Reserve, a glass with a bold pattern, were a welcome splash of color.

I left the show feeling oddly disappointed. Later, I tried to pin point the reason for my unrest. The fused glass was well executed. The crafters showed a sound working knowledge of the firing process. Technically, there was nothing wrong with their work. But nothing stood out.

Of all the pieces on display, only one was memorable. It was a rectangular table-top piece nicely displayed in a gallery quality, iron stand. The design featured bright Gerber Daisy style flowers beautifully clustered in groups on a sky-blue background.

The floral composition was simple, yet unique and original. But the real reason it stood out, and left a lasting impression was because the artist’s personality was apparent in the design. That’s when I realized what the other projects were lacking, personality.

I understand doing a show is a lot of work. It’s hard to predict what will sell. You want to appeal to buyer’s spontaneous desire to bring a treasure home. A token to commemorate the fun they had walking around the craft show. And so, you build safe projects that you hope have universal appeal. But the problem is they’re missing an important element critical to art, originality.

We work in a dazzling medium. Your work should reflect the beauty of the medium, as well as your individual flare for crafting innovative pieces with glass.

Get your work noticed!

Instead of worrying about price points and cash flow, focus on making art that excites you. Set your artistic, creative spirit free. Your style may not appeal to everyone. That’s okay. It’s better to let your passion show. Don’t sellout and make boring pieces hoping to get a few bucks in exchange. Wouldn’t you rather sell fewer pieces to customers who truly appreciate them for their beauty, rather than their function? I would.

Develop your own design style.

Narrow down colors and patterns that speak to you. Then combine those elements to create art all your own. Be bold. Experiment with different techniques. Pair unusual or unexpected colors. Have fun. The excitement it generates in you, will be evident in your new work. It’s a surefire way to make your art stand out of the crowd.

Want more in-depth methods for developing your own style? I delve more deeply into this concept and show you, through live demonstration how to develop your own design style in my upcoming webinar, Upscale Fusing.

You might wonder, what does upscale fusing mean?

Upscale fusing is the intentional pairing of complimentary design ideas to elevate the overall visual power of your artwork. Once revealed, you’ll see it’s a simple concept that’s easily implemented. Combine this theory with your artistic flare, and you’ll rapidly advance your glass work from craft to art.

It takes time, dedication, a meticulous skill set and money to plan and make art for a craft show. Make your effort count by designing artwork that’s memorable long after the show is over.

Excerpt from Upscale Fusing Webinar April 24, 2018

Want to learn more? Join me in this in-depth webinar next week.