Why I Make What I Make

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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