Working on the skills

My mind is all over the place these days. Many things are always getting done at one time. I am writing articles, I am encasing imagery of dancers inside of sculptures, I am practicing sculpting, I am cleaning glass, I am cutting decals, I am doing custom orders, and most importantly, I am practicing my skills!

Practicing a sculpture that I have already created before is a good exercise.  This is ‘The Universal Goddess protecting the earth’. When I am creating something I have created in the past, I do not concern myself with any rules of exact color match, or even size, or shape.  I like to let my Muse carry me as I go.

The Silver leaf over the transparent cobalt creates a mirror effect.  This creates a beautiful background for the Goddess.  The Goddess is sculpted and her arms and hands are placed in a gentle gesture toward the earth.   Each step is as important as the next.   The tiny earth marble is pre made and then gently placed onto the bead after the figure is sculpted.

I am also always practicing different encasements with glass.  Keeping the clear glass clear (clean), and the colors perfectly uniform within an implosion is a skill that takes a whole lot practice. Over the years, I have made it a point to practice implosions.    You can do a lot with an implosion.  It can be used as a decorative element in a sculpture or be a pendant (as shown here).  I see no reason to not practice implosion pendants. Not only do I get better the more I do it, they are a wonderful production item to sell at a show.

I (like so many other Artist’s I am sure) am a professional at creating works “in progress”.  My pieces take numerous torch sessions, and sometimes weeks to complete.  I set out to create my Art, for the sake of art.  In order to reach my full potential as an Artist I have to practice. And! In order to not be a starving Artist along the way, I need a product line. So, I see practicing implosions as being a win WIN situation!!

Along the way of practicing my skills, I am still working on my main thematic right now; High resolution RAW enamel decal imagery permanently fused (and becoming one with) my glass.  I am fascinated with the endless possibilities, the tool that my art images have become for myself, and other Artist’s.  The glow in the metals as the decal becomes one with the substrate is art in itself.

The time spent in the studio is not always about finishing the piece of art I am currently working on.  It is a constant chalenge to perfect each step of the way, and create skills that make the next work of art a success.

Written by, Sheila Morley

http://www.sheilamorley.com