My Workshop

 my favorite place to forget the world and create an exciting piece of art.........................

Working with a torch

I use propane and oxygen concentrators for sculpting the borosilicate glass.

I use propane and oxygen concentrators for sculpting the borosilicate glass.

Here are my two kilns. For energy efficiency, I use the little kiln or the big one as appropriate. Both kilns have electronic controllers that give me good control over firing and annealing cycles.

Here are my two kilns. For energy efficiency, I use the little kiln or the big one as appropriate. Both kilns have electronic controllers that give me good control over firing and annealing cycles.

 

 

Although there are varieties of ways to create glass artwork, I mostly follow the two processes explained below.

 

Kilnwork – Based on the design of the artwork, sheets of glass are precisely cut & placed in the kiln. Following a complex and long firing schedule, the piece is fired in the kiln.  In most cases, the piece goes through multiple firing cycles. Some artwork is then placed in slumping molds and fired again to take shape of the mold.

 

Flamework aka Torchwork aka Lampwork -  Rods of glass are melted and then molded or blown in the flame to create a sculpture. The sculpture is then annealed in the kiln at precise firing schedule for the glass to settle and cool down slowly. 

 

Few of my art pieces are a combination of the kilnwork and flamework, Examples of which are: Koi Pond, Music Clock, Butterflies on my wall, etc.