Linda R Fraser Glass Sculpture

Moving and Changing, Growing and Learning

2011-11-11T18:02:00.000-08:00

Well I am about to embark on a new home, new location, new country. Very exciting times!

I feel this is coming at a time when my artwork is expanding - hmmmm, maybe it is actually contracting; becoming more real to me and relative to my centre, my self.

I know the landscape of New Zealand has already affected my eyes, and they way I look; the way I see. I am sure this will add to the profound changes about to occur in my image making. Images held in my mind for so long will now have a chance to cross-pollinate and thereby expand.

Stay tuned for more images and changes.

I leave you with a few images: experiments towards future artworks and a taste of my new surroundings. To quote Buzz Lightyear:To the future and beyond!!!!

Thank you to my always inspirational friends: Brian and Evon, and always Ed and Maxx - my constant inspiration!!

You win some, you lose some

2011-06-20T04:45:00.000-07:00

Recently I was approached by a council to create a sculpture. But as you might guess by the title of this post - it didn't all go according to plan. Lack of communication between the various stakeholders made the project collapse.
I approached it with confidence and excitement, commitment and pleasure in the chance to solve the client brief while managing expectations. Did I mention optimism? Ever the optimist - perhaps the next commission will proceed.

The image of a carer and child began with drawings. Then I built a wooden frame onto which I attached styrofoam. I carved the styrofoam and then applied a layer of wax. The wax was carved to the final form. Here I share the stages of the making with you.

I enjoy making glass sculpture ...

2011-04-10T04:21:00.000-07:00

see this video to understand how very much!! Thank you to Dana for the video production and filming
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WJJ32Bbmmo

Things as we are ...

2011-03-20T00:56:00.000-07:00

We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are.
- Anais Nin

Things as we are ...

Just another way in which I describe why I make what I make.
I see and observe things every day and these observations become the images I create.
A variety of moods and expressions all depending upon the direction my attention goes towards and the desire I have to share such observations.
Lately I have been thinking of a series of collages I have made over the years, and now embarking on recreating these in glass. First in glass collages and paintings created in the kiln then placed within sandcast glass forms. Here are some of the collages I refer to depicted above. The first one in paper then in glass and other paper collages – still to be translated into glass.

Why I Make What I Make

2011-01-02T18:54:00.000-08:00

So often an artist will get asked: "why do you make the images you do?" the following is my response to that question.

I make images of things that I observe in my life. Whether it is a shadow that falls that reflects what is really going on in a conversation, looks between people in a crowded room, simple observations throughout my daily life. Once taken out of context these observations allow me to express various attitudes and postures between people and objects.

I have no interest at all in creating esoteric objects [note definition of esoteric: understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest] A number of artists seem to enjoy making very esoteric works - with some secret meaning only a chosen few would understand or be able to decipher. What Bullshit!! Art is for all to enjoy. I have an intended image (from my own experiences) and how that image resonates with individuals in dependent upon what the viewer brings to the moment - sparking their own imaginations. Least of all I hope to spark some note of familiarity, or reminder of a feeling in a time or place long gone.

I enjoy making things with my hands - a tangible item that can be considered over time. Nothing perfect, but an object made by hand; made by a person. I want to include people in my thoughts and share common feelings, experiences and emotions. Our emotions and feelings - like the rest of our bodies need exercise - little hints, reminders of feelings and reactions, which in being evoked allow for more feelings and reactions to evolve over time.

Couples and Pairs series of sandcast glass sculptures

2010-12-14T02:19:00.000-08:00

Here you can see the series of Couples and pairs I have been working on over the years.

This slide show explains the beginning of this series and how it has changed over time, and

continues with fun today!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFUfKbxVUsQ

2010-12-11T18:04:00.001-08:00

Hello there

As I am gathering together slide shows of the various sculptural series I have made, and continue making - morphing, changing: as I morph and change (OK so some call it aging, whatever...)

I am sharing them here.

My porthole series is one series that I began making these slide shows of. Portholes ... a series close to my heart as they combine the various materials I truly enjoy working with: metal and glass.

This holds true for my Ned Kelly series also - so stay tuned for regular updates and more slide shows.

Here is the Porthole series slide show for your enjoyment!

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

New work hot out of the annealer!

2010-11-01T02:47:00.000-07:00

Still with time to 'tart them up' a bit. Some cutting, a bit of polishing and a few new series of pieces as well as a refreshing new direction in the application of colour to my work.

First there is the series taken from a long standing series of cut paper collages I have been making for 30 years. The yellow flower image and the abstract figure in profile reflect this series.

There is also a new direction I have discovered, in the blending of new pre-fired colour layers along with my previous style of adding colour directly onto the sand.

My seated figures (or Buddhas) have improved with the new direction in colour, however the technique for these more rounded and shaped pieces needs improvement.

More to consider and more to come... Linda

new slide shows of my glass sculpture

2010-08-08T06:48:00.000-07:00

I have just started creating slideshows of my sandcast glass sculpture. The first one up is the Seated Figure series which you can access at this link: http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/lindarfraser-463227-linda-r-fraser-glass-sculpture-seated-figure-series/

In the seated figure series of sandcast glass I have captured the essence of a figure in calm repose, meditation or deep thought. The choice and intensity of the colour reflects the moood and attitude of the person and their thoughts.

This series is an ongoing series where I enjoy adding to the contrast of one's surroundings and one's inner thoughts through the expression of colour within the captured space.

The series began when I created a wax seated figure with the intention of casting it in bronze. When I set out to the studio to cast some glass I thought I would try using the wax as a template in the sand. I was quite happy with the result and continue the series as combinations of colours reflect my moods and those I observe around me.

I enjoy my time alone, in thought and enjoy expressing these moments in time in glass and colour.

Next to get back to the bronze casting...

New Facebook account

2010-06-27T04:10:00.000-07:00

Hi I have just opened a new facebook page for Linda R Fraser Glass Sculpture it is at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-R-Fraser-Glass-Sculpture/133585593336243

Hope to see you there.

Continuing with stencils in glass

2010-06-19T20:19:00.000-07:00

I have continued with experiments in my kiln with stencils and glass powders and frits.

The results have been quite positive- with my mind wandering with new possibilities.

Now more experiments are required in the application of the resulting thin glass images.

Do I fuse the images of wafer thin glass between layers of sheet glass, of varying thickness - OR- do I continue to improve my sancast glass methods with the use of these stencil images??

- OR - both?

Scale also becomes an issue. DO I make modular pieces that create a larger image?

or do I create larger pieces?????

Again I think of the ecology of it all - I believe art inhances our lives and spaces - but it does not need to DOMINATE or take up a huge amount of space. This would just be greedy.

Attached are some of the images of stencils fresh from the kiln
and the abstract profile "Daggers in her glance" as it was sandcast

2010-04-17T21:37:00.000-07:00

So many things going through my mind.
I have recently built a kiln at home, so I can now create more complex stencils for my glass work, ahead of a hot casting session. This will let me finally incorporate the imagery of my collage work with my sandcast glass.
see examples of both on my website.
www.lindafraser.com

My Floating World

2010-03-07T16:16:00.000-08:00

I am continuing in the use of stencils and powders in a more elaborate way, in my glasswork. To this end I saw an inspiring piece of grafitti lately and this got me drawing ideas for new 'portholes'. Since the shape of the porthole is rectangular, once seeing the grafitti of a pair of animated eyes - I thought back to the days when I lived in a house with a mail slot in the front door and how you could peer out through this rectangular port and see who was outside the door.
So in the ocmbination of these memories and the influence of the grafitti eyes, I created the following pieces. I hope to continue in this way for at least a few more pieces. Generating different moods and attitudes in the eyes will be fun!

Couples (or Pairs) an ongoing series, over years

2010-02-13T18:43:00.000-08:00

Art is long, life is short (an old Roman saying)

The Pairs series portrays the
intimacy of support between two people
without the need to be ‘eye to eye’
they are able to support and cover each other’s backs

How do I describe these figures?
By colour, texture, scent…. The immediate feeling or deep sense of a person captured, transparently, for all to see; the ‘taste’ of the inner soul.
Normally wrapped in the outer display of wardrobe and accessories I reveal the inner spirit of an individual and represent their attitude/relationship toward one another.

Recent experiments in glass

2010-01-28T02:26:00.000-08:00

I have recently decided to control the imagery in my glass a bit more.

To this end I am experimenting with some glass powders on the surface of the sand to create
silk screen like images. After intial experiments I have decided to stick to more opaque colours, less transparent colours.

I will also tie these images in with collage work I have been doing for many, many years!

So here are some of the initial sandcasts that resulted from my experiments. These are set into cast bronze frames.
This series will be titled: Floating World ...

Enjoy the images - much more to follow soon!

Being in the Moment

2010-01-12T01:02:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been trying to encourage someone close to me to be
more 'in the moment' instead of replaying the past. Replaying the past
does not change it.

Perhaps that is why I like making objects. When successful they capture
your attention - in the present, for a moment of thought. This allows me
to share a moment, without even being there.

The present is where the past has gotten us to. We each decide where to
go to from there. Moment by moment. Object by object I build my future.

The reason I am a basically happy person is because the present is an unknown.
The past is a given, with sad and happy memories - I look forward, literally, to
the moments ahead! hmmmmmmmmm

Thoughts, thinking, directions

2009-09-10T04:52:00.000-07:00

Still in the planning phase of a new series of powder and frit stencils - within sandcast glass.
Working on the complexity and image themes for my next series of sculptures.
I may go for a still life series hmmmmm there would be a drastic change, or a mix of abstract 'portraits' .

The idea behind the abstract portraits is to capture the mood or feeling of a person through a 'snapshot' of their eyes and nose - represented in an almost graffitti like style.

My recent ideas have been sparked by observing graffitti, and gorgeous stencil art in the streets of Melbourne. Contemporary in the constant press bouncing between the veneration and destruction of street art.

More to follow as I get my preliminary ideas recorded.

2009-07-20T06:38:00.000-07:00

I am getting into the planning phase of a new series of pieces.
These will be a continuation of the earlier bronze 'portholes' with a new variation.
I am planning on making the glass much more narrative - or at least representaional
and carefully planned out with a series of stencils that will create the image out of layers of
glass powders carefully placed using many stencils...

I am excited yet still not quite sure what I will represent.
definitely a possibility of fire and ice imagery, and a continuation of some earlier
2D collage imagery as well.

The bronze frames have been completed - now for the careful finishing of the bronze surface while considering what the magical interior, in glass, floating within the frame will hold. Even I am unaware of exactly what this series will hold for the viewer. More to come! Later!!!!

I have also had the pleasure of re-connecting lately with some old friends from RISD and Pilchuck - the wonders of facebook. Ciao for now.

2009-06-28T01:35:00.000-07:00

My new series of contemplation continues

and this is the smaller version, in a tighter circle of light and colour. The image here shows the blue mood of evening and thoughts directed towards the stars in the sky.

These pieces will continue my investigation of mood and

intensity of thought through dramatic colour combinations.

The piece to the left shows the vivid soul under a cool sky.

Alone with ones thoughts, meditation and solitude.

This series will continue in many colour combinations that shall represent moods I have had or witnessed in others.

Here represented in glass.

2009-06-17T04:17:00.000-07:00

Planning of a new series of sculptures.

That is what I am up to now...

With some new rectangular bronze frames made, I am in the planning stages
of what will be 'framed' inside of them. Of course a piece of sandcast glass, with a more narrative approach to some very elaborate stencil work.

Also the continuation of reclining figures within the rectangular space. With the figure in relief and also some powder work in hollows ( or negative space ) in filled with transparent glass powders.

Hmmmm many possibilties - it's exciting!

SO busy time with drawings and planning and experimenting ahead.

The images here are of two existing pieces - one part of the 'beauty' series

and the other a one off images - a jumping off point for the new narrative stencils I have in mind.

Figures, couples and families

2009-06-08T22:41:00.000-07:00

The images I represent in couples, figures and groupings - in families show the various facets of personalities that make up such relationships.

In using the method of sandcasting glass, I am very happy with the resulting shiny and revealing side as well as the contrasting rough side of the glass sculpture.

As in personal relationships it is the contrasts as well as similarities that keep people interested in eachother and interesting to others.

The rich colours on the rough side of the pieces introduce the mood, or common colour to the relationship. Sometimes these colours block the interior. The shiny side of the sculpture lets one view the interior thoughts and feelings, and reveal a bit more about the individual. The placement of the figures can be changed to reveal what the viewer cares to reveal of the relationship between the figures.

2009-06-01T04:50:00.000-07:00

Contemplation

The title of a recent series of pieces I am making - and what I am doing as I sit and wonder ... 'what should I say on this blog?'

So I will talk about this series and what it represents to me.
As this series grows the images seem to depict the title, more and more.
The seated figure gazing out through an atmosphere - considering a thought, a moment in the past, or a path into the future.
The colours and textures deliver the figure to a different place. The colours are most important in setting the mood, as the colours of the figure lead the attitude of the thoughts being contemplated.

I can see the endless possiblities in colour and moods that can be investigated throughout this series.

Linda R Fraser Glass Sculpture Blog

2009-05-31T22:42:00.000-07:00

Well I have finally done it. Here is my entry for my new blog.

I want to use this blog to share and explore my thoughts on glass sculpture, techniques, new projects I am creating and what I have made.

I also want to explore current trends in the art world because there is so much change - how will it all affect the way artists approach their practice.

Enough of that - Let's see how this blog is going.