Yes, it's glass!

9 Aug 2011

Daylilies - from seed

So, I said I might write about all kinds of things, and here is something a bit off of the glass theme, although my flowers do tend to inspire me.  These are a few daylilies that were started from seed that we were either given, or that John collected from our plants.  They are all unique and growing beautifully in one of the lily beds.  One of the yellow ones has just a touch of pink on the petal borders, a very nice touch.  Something I just learned about daylilies is that they are edible as well as beautiful!  At the end of the day I have been taking a stroll and picking a few to add to our salads for a touch of color and a slightly sweet, delicate flavor addition.  What fun! 

6 Jun 2011

ArtWave Time Again

The next Algoma ArtWave is this Friday, June 10.  Looking forward to spending the evening at Bren Sibilsky’s.  It’s such a low pressure event that even though we’re “working” we have a great time.  I have been working on commissions and a repair, so I don’t know if I’ll have any new work to bring, but you just never know what the week will bring!  Summer season is starting, so it will be fun to see who shows up.

10 May 2011

Algoma ArtWave

Spring has finally arrived!  Winter seemed to have quite a grasp on us for way too long, but it is wonderful to see things turning green once again.  The spring flowers seem to have relished the snow and rain and are blooming better than ever before.  I think they were longing for the warmth and sun as much as we were.

While so much was hibernating, a new event was started in the nearby lakeshore town of Algoma.  A few galleries and other locations started opening their doors one evening every month (the second Friday), bringing in some visiting artists, highlighting the art of their resident artists and sometimes providing entertainment and refreshments.  Bren Sibilsky invited me to join her in her studio/gallery (E5977 Fremont Rd., just west of town), and we have been having a wonderful time talking with many visitors.  Some people have known of Bren and her work for a long time, others are just finding out what kind of amazing artists are hidden (in plain sight!) around the area.  Other locations on the ArtWave are Clay on Steele and Steele Street Floral and the Kewaunee Academy of Fine Art (all on Steele St. downtown), SteelHead Saloon and Caffe’ Tlazo on the main drag through town.

This Friday is the second Friday in May, so ArtWave is upon us again!  Bren and I both strive to have new work to show and this month is no different.  So, from 5-8 PM, May 13 come on out to Algoma (at least those of you within driving distance!) stop and see Bren and I, then head on to downtown Algoma to visit the other locations.  Caffe’ Tlazo will have some specials as well as musical entertainment.  With everything coming alive it’s a great drive from anywhere in the area!  Hope to see you.

Studio/gallery of Bren Sibilsky Sculpture

19 Mar 2011

New Glass Painting

I haven’t posted for a while, mainly because I’ve been working on repairs, commission designs and such things that aren’t really blog-worthy.  Everything has been fun, and I’m making people happy, so it’s all good.  I did finally get a new glass painting done, though.  I had been thinking about doing another river scene since the first one I did of the Eau Claire Dells in Spring sold the day it came out of the kiln, and I finally did.  It’s a little different view of the Dells area, and gives a bit of a different feel.  See what you think.

27 Dec 2010

End of 2010 - Start of 2011

Haven’t been writing lately, too busy finishing up projects in the studio.  While I wasn’t making Christmas presents, I did have a couple of projects that I promised would be completed by the 25th.  Nothing like delivering an installing the morning of Christmas Eve to beat the deadline!  Anyway, I did manage to make a couple of people happy, first with the delivery of stained/fused glass awards for an endurance riding group - I hear one is going to stay in Wisconsin and one is going to Illinois.  Been doing these for a few years and it’s always a challenge to get them just right.

Next, was a set of 4 stained glass cabinet doors for a local home.  I hadn’t worked with lead came for a while, so it took a bit to get things figured out again.  Once the first one was done the rest came together much easier.  These were the Christmas Eve installations.  Turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.  The challenge here was getting glass that looked great without much light coming through (the client did have lights put into the cabinets, but the light level is pretty low).  As you can see from the single door image photographed in a window, the glass is really different and wonderful with transmitted light as well. 

       

                                                       

This project and the re-learning curve I had to go through to get it done has led to my New Year’s Resolution:  design and fabricate at least one new stained glass panel a month using both lead came and copper foil.  And this is in addition to the other commission pieces I have to work on.  Should help keep me ready to go on any traditional projects that come my way.   I also want to do at least one new glass “painting” a month.  Maybe I won’t be going crazy the month before the Studio Tour if I can keep this up!

Well, 2010 is close to being a memory, and 2011 is almost here to start new.  I wish everyone a Happy, Safe, Healthy New Year!

                                  

                                                  Our winter wonderland

13 Nov 2010

Holiday shows are starting

Hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just a couple of weeks away, and then Christmas is just around the corner!  Our warmer than normal weather has made fall seem very long (a really good thing :) ), and it doesn’t seem late enough for the holidays.  I’m sure the temperatures will get back to normal now and the winter so many of us dread will be upon us.  In the meantime, the local Holiday Sales and Shows are gearing up.  I delivered some glass to KeLe Alpacas on Friday for the show starting there on Nov. 20 (runs through Dec. 5).  Today I took some pieces to The ARTgarage for jurying in to their Holiday Sale event which begins Nov. 18 and runs through Christmas.  The little dichroic candleholder above will be for sale at The ARTgarage and I hope it goes to a good new home.

Algoma has started a monthly event called the Algoma Art Wave.  The second Friday of the month galleries, studios and related businesses will stay open a little later and have some special things going on.  Last night (Nov. 12) was the inaugural evening and it seemed very well attended.  Bren Sibilsky invited me to exhibit some of my work at her studio along with Molly Johnson with some of her paintings.  I felt honored to be in such talented company!  We were all happy with the turn-out and enjoyed having the crew from the Kewaunee Academy of Fine Art show up at the end of the evening.  Check out the website and, if you live close enough, mark your calendars for the upcoming “Waves”.

18 Oct 2010

Survived the Tour

Well, the Art Studio Tour 2010 is history.  The turn-out was good, not great.  Absolutely beautiful fall weather kept some families from spending their days visiting studios I’m sure - and I don’t really blame anyone for wanting to enjoy this bonus summer weather.  I’m guessing about 150 people came through and I met some wonderful people.  Had a great group of middle school kids from Oconto Falls come early on Friday.  What a pleasure they were.  Sold a glass painting that had just come out of the kiln.  I do think it was my best so far, and an appreciative couple from Milwaukee took it home.  Even the picture of it came out pretty darn good - see for yourself!

Now, the planning begins for 2011.  It will be our 10th anniversary, so we will have to find some special things to do.

27 Sep 2010

Less than 2 weeks to go!

The calendar says it’s fall, and the trees are changing, but I’m not ready to believe that summer is over and winter is on it’s way.  I’m also finding it hard to believe that the Art Studio Tour is less than 2 weeks away!  The studio itself could be ready for visitors within a couple of days, but I don’t have all of the work I had hoped ready yet.  It will be a few busy days before I can say “enough”!  The lead up is always nerve wracking, wondering what I have forgotten during the planning, and what the weekend will bring.  Let’s just hope for the “right” weather - not too cold, not too warm, no rain - and no big spikes in gas prices.

Here are a couple of new recycled bottle necklaces.  Lots more jewelry in the works, as well as new glass paintings, vases and candleholders.

7 Sep 2010

Some new “paintings”

Ok, it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything.  Life has a way of taking precedence over updating my blog.  It has been a hot, humid summer, and while I’ve been getting some work done, the gardens have needed care and the horses have taken a bit more of my time than usual.  At any rate, I finally figured out how to finish off some of the glass “paintings” I have been working on.  I guess it’s working since the first person (beside John and myself) to see the first one I finished bought it today!  Thank you Cheryl!  Some of the bases are made from fused glass, some will be granite or marble, and some stone from our own property.  It’s fun figuring out what will work best with each painting.  Some are below - I hope you enjoy them!

This is the one that sold today.  The painting is about 3/4 inch deep, with 5 layers of glass fused together, and the base is made from fused/cast glass.  I had the painting around for a while, but was nervous about polishing the edges to finish it (sometimes the polishing wheel grabs a piece and flings it across the room - not much glass will survive that kind of treatment!).  Just last week I decided to go for it, and am so happy that I did! 

Last year, about this time, I was at a party on the bay of Green Bay and took a picture of one of the most magnificent sunsets I had ever seen.  I’ve been working on paintings of that scene since.  My first attempt is very large and is waiting for a rough stone base to be finished.  The one here is about 9” X 12”, with a black fused glass base.  One thing I love about the sunset paintings is how they change in different light, just like the real thing.

A scene along the path at the Eau Claire Dells in the Wausau area.  We took a couple of days during spring break to explore the central part of the state and enjoyed an afternoon walk through the Dells area.  The river was high and close to it’s peak spring flow.  It was wonderful to hear the roar and crash while strolling through the woods.  We don’t experience that nearly enough!  This painting is about 8” X 8”.

I will post some more as soon as they are finished.  First I have to work on some more recycled bottle jewelry before the Harvest Festival at Parallel 44 Winery this Saturday. 

22 May 2010

Online shop!

I have finally taken the jump and signed on with Etsy!  Tried to get started a few other times, but all the stuff you have to figure out was just a bit too much.  Last night and today I just sat down and went through it all.  Not that bad, but I’m sure glad it’s done.  I have posted a few items for sale, a couple of my kiln-formed pieces and some of the recycled bottle jewelry.  Have a look!  www.KGLyonGlass.etsy.com should get you there.  Yesterday I also took some of my newly made jewelry to The Flying Pig to add to my display.