Marine photos

Finally managed to access my blogger account again!! :)
I took these photos at Coventry Aquatics a few weeks ago

A successful week!!

This week I have collected my glass for my final pieces! I brought 3 large pieces for my largescale layered piece, also I brought a huge piece for an impressive focal point which is a metre by 30cm, very impressive!
 I have begun etching said pieces, having today completed my first layer of my large piece!

Yesterday I finalised my plans concerning the displaying of my work in my final show. I have designed exactly how my floating mountings and 'shelfs' are best made. I decided using several pieces of wood to create the blocks would be simpler than ordering a router etc for the grooves.
I ordered my LEDs to fit the grooves, which will of course to be as precise as possible sizewise in comparison to the thickness of my glass. I decided on bright white LEDs to give the best effect and successfully illuminate my glass as planned. Iv have ordered 3mm LEDs for my smaller work, while my larger pieces will be lit using 7mm LED strips.

Reeds and Plants

I went out to do futher research on types of plants and the way they hang. The range of plants I found was very limited so I will need to continue searching.  I took some photos to work from, however I stuggled with minimising the reflection of the camera on the glass.

Displaying Glass...

Jessica Townsend


Simone Bremner


Yoshiko Okada


Naoko Sato

Stourbridge Glass Biennalle

"Ayako Tani's Folks! bowl looks like loosely knitted glass until the light throws a shadow and the Sgt Pepper-esque faces hiding amid the strands become clear."

I love the way clever use of lighting transforms the effect and meaning of this piece.

Created by Adam Falx, I love how the each piece of glass curls and falls like tendrils. The way the light captures the movement gives it a glowing tumbling effect.

Resin experiments...

As I plan to incorporate objects such as metals and plastics into my work i thought it might be an idea to use resin as a base for it. I have done some experiments using resin to set these items into, seeing how different types would react. Also I tested pigment in the resin to see the effects. As well as this I tested resin on glass, on its own, with added pigment and also using it to attatch plastic to see what effects were best achieved...

The Large Glass

Marcel Duchamp "Duchamp worked on his complex Futurism inspired piece The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even (The Large Glass)from 1915 to 1923. He executed the work on two panes of glass with materials such as lead foil, fuse wire, and dust."  Wikipedia
 

I am taking inspiration from this piece and applying to my own work. The idea of applying different materials to glass gives a very interesting effect and depth to the work.

 As I have been looking into pollution and the effects it has on the reef, I plan to add parts of what is polluting the ocean to my work.

For example, I have started experimenting with plastics and the idea of oil paint representing the oil spills which are causing so much damage to the reefs. I am also going to experiment with different ways of introducing wire and metals into my work tastefully, to represent the effects of these items. I feel the idea of combining glass which is so fragile, with these harsh materials people carelessly throw into our oceans will grab peoples attention as it is not something we normally expect to see.

Adding colour to glass

This afternoon I have been looking into how is best to add colour to glass pieces carefully and tastefully. I want to be able to create areas of depth and high detail, yet maintain the transparent effect of the glass, therefore the type of paint is very important.

"Paint selection is one of the most significant aspects of painting clear glass. Acrylic glass paint is opaque and adds artistic embellishment to clear glass. Resin-based glass paint dries transparently, giving clear glass the look of stained or colored glass. Once you choose your paint, consider its durability. Glasswork that is simply for show can take any type of paint, but utilitarian pieces that will be frequently handled and washed must be painted with durable bake-on paint"

• When applying colour to etched glass, it is important to apply the paint to the reverse side of the glass, in order to maintain the detail that has been etched.

• To ensure no areas of the glass are unable to let light through, it is important to add layers of paint gradually, so it is possible to guage when the glass begins to loose transparency. Some types of paint become more opaque once dry.

To add colour detail to etched areas only:
Link - taken from eHow

1.  Wipe the glass etching clean with a tissue to remove any dust that might have accumulated on it.
2. Apply the paint with your finger, a small dry brush or a cotton-tipped swab.
3. Allow the paint to dry for about thirty seconds.
4. Wipe with a clean cotton-tipped swab or tissue. The paint will only wipe off of the unetched areas.
5. Apply high gloss sealer to the etched areas and allow it to dry, if the colors are required to be more permanent.

        

Layered Glass ideas..

I think glass is again appropriate to my project as in itself it is very fragile and delicate - as are our oceans reefs and coral - thus putting across the idea of the Fragilty Of Nature. As part of my project I have been thinking of creating a layered glass piece. My aim is for each layer to consist of a seperate concept. For example, one layer being coral, one plants, one fish etc...

I plan to set my pieces into a resin base as i felt the continuous transparent effect of my previous pieces was successful. I am however going to attempt to add lighting to my piece - empahsizing the details of the piece, putting the idea across of putting light on the situation the reefs are currently facing.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Layered-glass-art/

Reef Relief

http://reefrelief.org/

"Despite many corals’ rock – like appearance, they are actually very fragile and easily damaged"

Direct Threats

Direct threats are generally isolated incidents involving boats, divers and fishermen on the reef.  Propellers and anchors can break apart and crush coral, destroying years, if not decades, of coral growth.

Indirect Threats

Indirect threats aren’t always so easy to pinpoint, as they are generally associated with water quality and clarity.
Larger debris, coming from both the land and the sea, can break apart coral and strangle and suffocate marine life.  Water quality is jeopardized on many reefs due to heightened pollutant and nutrient levels associated with inadequate waste water and storm water treatment.

Animation - Finding Nemo

Today i have been looking at the artwork of Finding Nemo, a Disney film created by Pixar Animation Studios. I love the bright colours used by the animators, they really capture the colours found in a reef.. I think the graphic style of the art gives a very soft effect which i feel ephasises the floaty feel of underwater worlds. The way light is used in the pieces, although very subtle gives a great feel of depth... together with the details of debris and murk in the water it creates a very authentic surrounding.

Lesley Pyke - 'bowl of fish'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGODOEXwxUw

I found this video very interesting as it shows the wide range of tools and attachments Lesley uses to create the different depths and details of the piece. I have only used on type of head attachment so far but  I am now inspired to experiment with the other attachments to see what effects I can achieve!

Quirky..

Gilbert Larmuseau

Jennifer Belote

Jennifer Belote uses acrylic to realistically portray marine fish and the sea. I think her work has beautiful detail and a graphic stylised finish