17.05.11 Exploration with glass

I had an interesting week last week working mostly working with glass. I have been looking at Mary Fedden and Ben Nicholson's work in relation to my domestic theme. Fedden's simplistic forms and addition of a view beyond , which I relate to easily , give a very individual and emotional perspective of a domestic still life. Nicholson's work appears quite different to mine as it is often abstracted although I have some examples where it is constructed from a simple line giving a very strong uncluttered image which is what really appeals to me.
I had been looking at the painting I did and wondering what else I could do with this image, I wanted to give that feeling of space and layers .

I wanted to give a tranquil, almost contemplative feel and show the viewer that it is the combination of indoors and outdoors that are important to me . I need to feel in touch with outside which is why I only painted the frame to give the feeling of space and the outdoors coming in , this is what I love and what I make part of my home - even in winter it is usual to find a window or even a door left open through the day. I like the feel of the outdoors , the air , light, sounds, and true colours.
I thought glass might be a good medium as it layers well, the translucency gives the feeling of space and I love the reflective qualities and the smooth clean finish that's possible.

 

I used glass frits as I wanted to have a light effect with the colour rather than a block effect so that it would stay loose. I was pleased with the effect but regretted adding the cat as it's too block and dark.

 I decided to have another go but this time keep it very loose , almost water colour-like, suggesting the elements of the composition  to give a much softer , more airy feel so you're unsure whether you're in or outside.

I love the simplicity and space captured within this piece, the loose feeling of my view and the linear quality which is my home. the colour scheme comes from my home and the light and air is reminiscent of the qualities within my home space.

It is a very personal piece and quite different to my other pieces which are much more pictorial but I think that is because this piece of work has become more of an illustration of my emotions regarding home.

I would like to see this piece maybe three times the size of this so I'm going to look at the aesthetics of dimensions and when happy with a size will cost the glass and see whether it's viable. I think it would make a beautiful sculptural piece and although I'm working in 2D , when making this because it's layered you work in that dimension, but then by joining these layers you end up with a 3D piece, so I still stand by my work being predominately 2D.