glass

Glassmaking: Morganica (Cynthia Morgan) demonstrates the technical and creative challenges of making art using glass through fused glass, coldworking, and experimentation. Primarily focused on the casting of glass, including pate de verre and reservoir casting, she also discusses less-used kinformed glass techniques such as tack-fusing, kilncarving, and pattern-bar development.

25 06, 2009

Winding down a week of glass (BEcon 2009)

2020-03-02T07:45:25-08:00

It was the perfect end to a very glassy week. I've been to a few BEcons, and this was the best, IMHO. Of course, it helps that it was about casting, my current obsession, and that BE attracted some of my favorite casting artists as speakers. Gotta give kudos to the BE staff, not only for pulling this off at all, but for keeping 250 cats herded fairly efficiently.

Winding down a week of glass (BEcon 2009)2020-03-02T07:45:25-08:00
24 06, 2009

Glass, relaxed

2020-11-26T12:54:51-08:00

As much as I love the pate de verre processes I'm investigating, they can get kinda intense, tedious and looooong. And they don't exactly happen overnight. It's amazing how nice it feels just to quickly FUSE something for a change. I'm part of the Oregon Glass Guild, and every year we get together with the Oregon Potters Association (huge, well-oiled org that dwarfs little OGG) for the Empty Bowls benefit. Members get together to make bowls from donated materials, and anything goes--whatever you can dream up with what's at hand, you can make.

Glass, relaxed2020-11-26T12:54:51-08:00
5 06, 2009

Building, not sculpting

2024-01-04T19:21:58-08:00

I'm learning why sculptors rarely do their own casting; it takes you too far away from the seminal part of things (i.e., sculpting) for far too long. Lately, sculpture seems to be mostly hurry up and go do something else, which is driving me nuts. In an effort to change that, I'm building myself a new studio...which is also delaying things.

Building, not sculpting2024-01-04T19:21:58-08:00
28 04, 2009

Portland Open Studios

2015-11-07T22:50:00-08:00

Beware of wild impulses. Supposedly they lead to great new opportunities, but every so often they also lead to many strangers tramping through your house.

Portland Open Studios2015-11-07T22:50:00-08:00
25 04, 2009

Massive glass attack…

2016-05-18T00:18:41-07:00

...and ceramics and metal and beads and fiber arts: The gigantic Portland crafts show is this weekend, Oregon Glass Guild is in hall B, and the quality of the work in all media is just outstanding.

Massive glass attack…2016-05-18T00:18:41-07:00
28 03, 2009

Transparently seductive

2016-05-15T16:26:26-07:00

Transparency is seductive. It's why we prefer diamonds to coal, windows to walls. I think that's why a lot of glass artists go miles to avoid it. It takes a very strong artistic voice to speak louder than transparent glass.

Transparently seductive2016-05-15T16:26:26-07:00
25 03, 2009

Yarg (and come to the show…)

2017-10-07T18:36:39-07:00

You can take the girl out of the newsroom, but you can't take the newsroom out of the girl, it seems. No matter how many days/weeks/months/years I know in advance, I don't zoom into high gear until it's down to the wire deadline time. And so I've got four pieces due at the gallery by 11am this morning, and I will just exactly make it...with three.

Yarg (and come to the show…)2017-10-07T18:36:39-07:00
21 03, 2009

Ouiski baugh

2016-05-15T16:23:38-07:00

The folks at Bullseye Gallery are brave souls, holding their Northlands Glass School benefit--a Glenfiddich whisky tasting--on both floors of the gallery. As far as I could tell nothing was broken, although I did hear a couple of clangs.

Ouiski baugh2016-05-15T16:23:38-07:00
11 03, 2009

19 cheap things casters need

2017-08-03T09:33:15-07:00

The art of casting is also the art of spending money. I publish a little resource list (I think it's now six pages long) of where to buy all the stuff you need for casting. None of it's cheap and most of it's indispensable. Interestingly, though, there's also a bunch of stuff that's equally indispensable but can be had on the cheap. Here's my list of 18 cheap THINGS you should keep around a casting studio to make your life (and your bank account) easier. ...

19 cheap things casters need2017-08-03T09:33:15-07:00
6 03, 2009

Using up (lots of) scrap glass

2016-05-17T22:47:06-07:00

This getting ready to move stuff is a pain but with some compensations; I inventoried my raw glass stock (came up with about 90 sheets of glass that will be coming to a garage sale soon), and my fingers started itching to cut glass...so I banged out some keystone projects. Nothing great, certainly not great art, but a nice change of pace from the intensity of casting and a good way to turn a bunch of scrap into something that holds fruit.

Using up (lots of) scrap glass2016-05-17T22:47:06-07:00
Copyright © 2024 Cynthia Morgan | All Rights Reserved
No part of this website may be copied, borrowed, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the author (me).

Or, to put it in plain English, folks: Ask first. This blog is first and foremost a personal journal, a chronicle of my work with a fairly difficult technical medium. I'm happy (thrilled, even) to share what I know, and I'll help you with your own journey all I can... as long as you respect my groundrules.

I don't sell ads, products or services, and unless disclosed I buy all products/services mentioned in this blog, with my own money. I don't claim to have invented processes, tools, new artforms, or techniques (unless I specifically say so). HOWEVER, my writing and art (and any errors of fact or fiction) are my very own, original work. Don't blame anyone but me if I get it wrong.
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