We usually know the key subject or focal point of a fused
glass project from the very beginning. You enter the studio with the intention
of making a piece with a sail boat or a geometric pattern. It’s that basic plan
that fuels your creative actions. Making the subject is easy. But don’t stop
there.
What about the background?
The background is equally, and possibly more important than
the subject. How the background is handled can dramatically improve the power
and appeal of a work of art. A good background enhances the focal point. It reinforces
the subject with images or shapes that establish setting or create a mood that
further support the artist’s specific visual goals.
Last month, at Glass Craft & Bead Expo in Las Vegas I
had the pleasure of working with several creative students in my Fusing Art Design class.
We did a fun group exercise.
We built a fused glass design together. I went around the
room and asked each student to contribute a random design element. The exercise
quickly illustrated the dramatic impact the background has on a design. It
showed how the addition of simple, complementary elements can sway the design
direction. And how the choices we make can produce unique, exciting designs.
The spontaneity of the student’s additions combined with their diverse
interests and individual styles resulted in a fun and funky design.
This exercise was so impactful inside the classroom, I
thought it might be of value outside the classroom as well.
Evolution of a Design
The first student contributed the shape of our project, a
square.
The next student added the focal point, a cat. Being in a
classroom situation, with limited time, I drew the cat from behind to minimize
the detail.
The following student suggested the setting. She placed the
cat in Las Vegas. I drew a simple slot machine into the design. Of course, our
cat has a winning spin with three mice.
I then asked the next student what pattern we could add to
reinforce the Las Vegas theme. She offered dollar signs which worked
beautifully. I increased the line size on the dollar signs to further enhance
our design motif.
A cocktail was suggested next. I added a martini glass with
an olive.
The cheese wedge, and puffy purse were drawn in to add balance
to the design composition.
At this point, we decide as a group that the design had
enough elements. If during fabrication, we thought it needed more detail we’d select
patterned or textured glass to add more visual interest.
This design was drawn on my computer using the Glass Eye
2000, from Dragonfly Software. https://www.dfly.com/
This cat design is fun, but not revolutionary. However, the
free-style design approach that evolved from this exercise has enormous
potential. It clearly emphasizes the power of spontaneous thinking and how we
can use it to develop our own original works of art.
Happy fusing,
Lisa
Follow my
blog for more tips and tricks!
Artist
Website www.LisaVogt.net
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Author
Website https://lisajvogtcom.wordpress.com/
2 NEW
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Fun
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Upcoming Webinars and Hands-on Class
Fusing for the Adventurous Webinar
July 24, 2018
Make a Fused Glass Sink Webinar
August 2, 2018
Now Registering!
Advanced Glass Fusing 4-Day, Hands-on
Workshop
November
6-9, 2018
Gain knowledge! Build confidence! Get
inspired!
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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.
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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