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.

6 04, 2008

Buddy, can you spare the time?

2016-05-15T16:02:31-07:00

Hmmmm. I think the glass me looks a lot less harried. Whenever this blog stops being about glass for awhile, one or two people will drop me a line about it. Gee, it’s nice that you folks notice. (Thanks!) This morning, for example, I received a gentle prod about the lack of glassist posts. “Loved the thing about the self-portrait, but what [...]

Buddy, can you spare the time?2016-05-15T16:02:31-07:00
28 03, 2008

Sculpture vs. glass

2024-01-04T08:09:42-08:00

It's been a swamped (and sometimes harrowing) last few weeks, lots to do, lots to think about. In the midst of everything, I had the great good fortune to be asked for casting advice by a well-known sculptor. This lady works--beautifully and very successfully--in ceramics. Now, though, at least part of her current project must be cast in amber-colored crystal [...]

Sculpture vs. glass2024-01-04T08:09:42-08:00
27 03, 2008

Making me (self-portrait)

2016-05-15T15:25:37-07:00

Warning: VERY long post. Only read this if you're interested in pate de verre, because this is the length of a small book... Couple years ago a lovely artist named Cynthia (not me...Cynthia Oliver), organized a virtual artshow of warmglass artist self-portraits. It was a great deal of fun, and after seesawing back and forth on what to do, I did [...]

Making me (self-portrait)2016-05-15T15:25:37-07:00
13 03, 2008

Caster’s hand cream

2016-05-15T16:01:04-07:00

Those of you who cast glass know that one thing casting ISN’T, is good for your hands. Between plaster, investments, clay, coldworking, etc., casting is just about the worst thing you can do to a good set of digits. I’ve spent a small fortune on lotions and emolliments designed to bring my chapped, cracked, and generally gruddley hands back to [...]

Caster’s hand cream2016-05-15T16:01:04-07:00
2 03, 2008

Caster pity party

2016-05-15T16:01:03-07:00

As I'm sitting here digging investment out of tiny little nooks and crannies in my latest glass casting, I'm suddenly struck by the immense number of glass casters whose work runs to sensuously smooth, unadorned imagery. Do you suppose that's because, unlike me, they're smart enough to realize what happens when you put lots of @#$)*^#@%! tiny detail in a [...]

Caster pity party2016-05-15T16:01:03-07:00
1 03, 2008

Are you GASsed yet? Hop to it!

2020-03-02T07:43:26-08:00

WARNING: FERVENT SALES PITCH AHEAD NON-GLASSISTS SKIP THIS POST GLASSISTS, LISTEN UP!!! Fellow glassists, by clicking on a single link (and having 12 hours of fun), you can save up to $145. When was the last time ANYone connected with glass ever SAVED you money? You can thank me now–I’m part of the volunteer coordination team for GAS 2008, and [...]

Are you GASsed yet? Hop to it!2020-03-02T07:43:26-08:00
22 02, 2008

Whew…another Castuary bites the dust

2016-05-15T16:00:56-07:00

Kilnful of molds came out of the kiln yesterday morning and I’m a happy camper who can check off one more promise to herself: I’m getting serious about this glass stuff. Part of being serious is, I guess, learning when it’s OK to compromise and when it’s not. SHOUT (detail above) also came out of the kiln but only 85% [...]

Whew…another Castuary bites the dust2016-05-15T16:00:56-07:00
2 02, 2008

Ode to rhubarb glass

2016-05-15T16:00:51-07:00

Castuary (that period of anxious waiting while your kiln processes your glass castings) was over last night, and I opened the molds to–as usual–a mix of Christmas and nightmare. Well, maybe not nightmare. Probably more like one of those twitchy, uneasy dreams where you step up to the podium to accept your award and things would be perfect if you’d [...]

Ode to rhubarb glass2016-05-15T16:00:51-07:00
30 01, 2008

OGG and building artist websites

2020-03-02T07:43:16-08:00

Live in the Northwestern US, particularly in Oregon? Glassist of any description? You probably oughta be in the Oregon Glass Guild, OGG. Nice organization of really nice folk, have interesting meetings and occasional group discounts on cool stuff. They're helping me coordinate volunteers for the 2008 Glass Art Society's international glass conference, GAS, which will be held in Portland, OR. [...]

OGG and building artist websites2020-03-02T07:43:16-08:00
29 01, 2008

Lost in Castuary

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

So it's back to Castuary, that odd period where life revolves around the kiln, or more specifically, around the molds I'm casting in the kiln. The process of casting glass kinda reminds me of bringing kids in from recess: Controlled chaos that eventually--hopefully--marches exactly to where you want it. Glass casting is a gazillion tasks all culminating in Castuary and [...]

Lost in Castuary2016-05-15T16:00:38-07:00
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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