Pilates for Parkinson’s Fundraiser

I was recently asked by my pilates instructor & friend Ali Ericson to donate a piece of my glasswork to her fundraiser for Parkinson’s research. The timing was perfect as I was learning a new glass painting technique and making a beautiful Stargazer Lily Plate that I thought would be a wonderful piece to donate.

Details on the fundraiser are below.

Stargazer Lily Plate process:

This piece is created from two separate sheets of glass, one clear and one white opaque. 

The lilies are painted on the front of the clear glass using Colors for Earth glass paint.  There are multiple techniques used in the painting process.  The whole outline is done in detailing black using a bottle of product with a metal tip.  Once the outline is complete the color is flooded into the sections of the design using a paint brush and the chosen paint color (which is a powder that is mixed with a medium to become a thick paint).  There are various ways to flood the color.  Single colors are applied individually, blended colors are applied as either two or three colors and then pulled through using various techniques to achieve the desired outcome.  After the base colors dry additional detailing is applied on the top using color concentrates for details like the lily designs on the petals.

The white base glass is sectioned into one inch sections for a repeated pattern of white (unpainted), black, and stamped detailing. 

The painting of the two glass pieces took approximately 10 hours. 

After the pieces are painted they are put together and then dusted with a clear coat glass powder prior to firing in the kiln.  The piece goes through two kiln firings.  The first firing fuses the glass into one piece.  The second firing slumps the glass piece into the mold to make the plate.  Each of these firings takes about 18 hours to complete. 

After the second firing the plate is complete and ready to be used or displayed.