Dawn: the beginning of a shiny new day…..My tests are complete. Over 10 years of research, studies and kiln tests, at long last I have the miracle breakthrough I was looking for.
Over a decade ago, I brought my years of glass experience to work for a company that hand-painted (Verre Eglomise) the back of glass and sealed it with powder coat. Their powder coat application was not tested according to well-established fused glass testing methods. My job was to develop new techniques and designs for them to sell around the globe.
In my off time, I developed my ideas further but was still bothered by the mystery… HOW do I combine the Verre Eglomise techniques and achieve similar effects in fused glass? I had a driving need to apply my hand-painting techniques to traditional fused glass.
Traditional fused glass involves GLASS, front and back, and the design elements are completely encased within the melted glass and impervious to water. Fused glass is more time-consuming and costly to produce, but with proper care you have a piece that will last generations.
Over a decade ago, I brought my years of glass experience to work for a company that hand-painted (Verre Eglomise) the back of glass and sealed it with powder coat. Their powder coat application was not tested according to well-established fused glass testing methods. My job was to develop new techniques and designs for them to sell around the globe.
In my off time, I developed my ideas further but was still bothered by the mystery… HOW do I combine the Verre Eglomise techniques and achieve similar effects in fused glass? I had a driving need to apply my hand-painting techniques to traditional fused glass.
Traditional fused glass involves GLASS, front and back, and the design elements are completely encased within the melted glass and impervious to water. Fused glass is more time-consuming and costly to produce, but with proper care you have a piece that will last generations.
The challenge was to find similar materials that could withstand the additional 1000 degrees necessary for fused glass. Everything I tried burned out or disintegrated. Fast forward through many years of failed tests and do-overs, I finally found the right combination to join my hand-painting techniques with traditional fused glass.
Now I can share them with you, fully confident that this glass is of sound construction and excellent quality.
After Words: Being self-taught, I recently learned this hand-painting technique has a name! “Verre Eglomise” means to reverse paint, or engrave on glass and occasionally gild with metal leaf. This entertains me because in my late teens and early 20′s, I reverse engraved glass and then painted the engraving. I did that for a living for 6 years. If I count that experience, I’ve been working with glass much longer than my stated 1991 beginnings.
All of the pieces in this Limited Edition Series have been sold.
Now I can share them with you, fully confident that this glass is of sound construction and excellent quality.
After Words: Being self-taught, I recently learned this hand-painting technique has a name! “Verre Eglomise” means to reverse paint, or engrave on glass and occasionally gild with metal leaf. This entertains me because in my late teens and early 20′s, I reverse engraved glass and then painted the engraving. I did that for a living for 6 years. If I count that experience, I’ve been working with glass much longer than my stated 1991 beginnings.
All of the pieces in this Limited Edition Series have been sold.
Here are some photos of my former work sealed with powder coat. I will never employ the powder coat method again, but you may see how some of my older designs influence my future works in glass.
There is writing on it: “Gift of Frank”.
