How I Became "Hooked"

For those of you following my haphazard blog, today I'll tell you a little about myself. I live on an active farm in southern Ohio. We raise soybeans, corn, wheat and a LOT of hay. I've been married to my hubby for almost 35 years so we've got the partnership-thing down pat. He has always supported my artistic "hobbies" making me items I needed for whatever I was currently working on. I contribute by helping on the farm as needed.

For many years I did decorative painting on wood. When our other farm was sold we moved about 1 1/2 hours away to our new farm. On this property was a beautiful 150 year old brick Federal-style home. It was begging for stained glass windows. I had always wanting to learn copper foil stained glass and found a studio willing to show me the ropes.

While I never filled the house totally with stained glass, I did manage to work in it for about 10 years, with much of my bounty going to (I hope) happy relatives. The fusing craze was going on during the later part of these years and I got the bug. Originally, I only wanted to make fused items to incorporate into my stained glass, but that was not the end result.

From the first firing, I was hooked! There is something about melting and learning to control the glass that is somewhat addictive. I love combining colors, learning new techniques and exploring this fascinating medium. I never made another stained glass window. For that, I'm somewhat ashamed....until I open that kiln again to see what "cooked" overnight. Then the madness starts again!

Also surprising for me, when I painted on wood it was in a very "country" theme. Again, when I began working in stained glass I leaned toward florals, nature, and country themes. Not so with fusing. I do some florals, but in general I have gravitated towards a more modern style with cleaner lines focusing on space, color, and balance. It is a new outlet for me which I'm enjoying exploring. I have become accomplished enough to begin selling my sushi sets, bowls, plates, etc. at several juried shows with good reviews (and sales) by attendees.

I don't know how long this "ride" will be, but I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts. The glass bowl I am showing today is a combination of my "country" beginnings and my "modern" style of today. The technique is one demonstrated by glass artist Patty Gray. I was fortunate enough to spend 4 days under her direction at Delphi Glass in Michigan late last year. She is a wealth of knowledge and a generous teacher. If you have an opportunity to take a class from Patty you will not be disappointed. I've enjoyed making these bowls because they bring out a spontaneity that my work usually lacks. I tend to plan out many of my pieces, "sweating the details" but when I make these bowls I allow myself the freedom to play.