Nancy Cann
Woodstock , GA
I started working in glass in the year 2000. I taught myself how to paint "with" glass using crushed and powdered glass that is later fired in a kiln
MessageIt's my husband's fault that I got started in glass fusing. A few years ago we were searching for something that we could do and share together. I don't really care for sports and he doesn't really care much for gardening. We were both inspired by the beautiful pictures in a “how to” book about making enameled jewelry. Actually, I was truly inspired and he had casually thumbed through the book because I had left it in the bathroom. He did comment that enameled pieces looked really impressive and that he might want to learn how to make artwork like that someday. I interpreted someday as right now…
I called several different art schools and could not find anyone teaching a class on enameling. I did however find a two-day class on making fused glass jewelry, which is kind of similar to enameling. Both art forms use glass chips and a kiln…
After a few attempts my husband decided that fusing glass just wasn't for him. I on the other hand found glass fusing to be great fun! When I first started in 2000 I used a small corner of my husband's workshop in the basement and listened to an old radio that could only pick up one station (The station that plays the Delilah show). Now many years later, I've taken over most of the basement, listen to music and audio books on my phone. My husband's workshop has been reduced to his toolbox. Although, I have laid claim to most of the tools contained within.
I have an extensive artistic background. I have worked in the commercial art field for over twenty years. I am a published photographer and I also paint in acrylics and oils. My fused glass is sold in several galleries all across the country. I am a past vice president of the Atlanta Glass Art Guild and a Niche Award Finalist. I’m also a breast cancer survivor.
Statement
Created entirely out of Glass
I love working with crushed and powdered glass (called frits). The results look so much like a painting but with the added unique qualities of glass. I start with a special paper that can withstand the high temperatures in a kiln. I use tiny sifters and sift many colors of glass powders to create my design. I do not use any stencils. All of the sifting is done by hand. I fire the piece in the kiln. When the piece comes out of the kiln I sandblast it to create a textured matte finish.
The process is kind of tricky in that working with powdered glass is a lot like working in ceramic glazes. The color of the powder is usually not the same color in the fired piece. In addition, I have to know my chemistry because some colors of glass react with other colors where they touch. The reaction usually results in a dark brownish gray color. I like a little bit of that reaction color in my pieces because I believe that it kind of gives the piece more of an old antique kind of feel.
I love making these pieces. Each piece is truly unique. The crackles are different every time as well as the places where the glass colors react with each other. The textured matte feel of the glass is wonderful. It makes you just want to reach out and touch the piece.
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