week 1 residency

i have just completed my first week of my residency. basically i got settled in, met some new people, hung out with some old friends, had a couple beers, and started making a plan of what to do. not a bad week really.

my first session in the hot glass studio in about a year, so i decided to start small and slowly by making some colour test cups. i really like the navy, bronze, copper, phil's grey and amber. now i need to decide what to make with them.

 

my second session i made some white cylinders with black on the inside to cut and slump in a kiln to make sheet glass, and i also made a bronze cylinder and a blue one (it broke while making it but i love the way it broke, so kept it to inspire me) and my lovely assistant Netty pulled me some twisty cane. i do have some plans on things i want to make.

this is the hot shop in action, with a three person team.

 

i also did a cold working one on one class with Peter Nilsson (a master engraver originally from Sweden). He showed me the basics for mark making and engraving on the lathe and answered all my questions about how to get the results i want. (turns out the secret is another 10 years or so of practice to get good). but i am very excited about trying this new technique out on some of my flat glass panels and maybe incorporating this into my artwork.  this is a cup that i practiced on using different profiled wheels.

these are the windows in the engine room and i spend a lot of my time in here so far planning and thinking. i keep noticing the windows and light and really i do love a gird. they are beautiful and one a great scale in that space.

this is the window in the stairwell, also a favorite that catches my attention.

and finally a mention to the best burgers in Canberra and lucky for me ( or maybe not as it is tempting for me) they are located at Canberra Glassworks. I have already had 2 visits this week, they are that good.