Catch You Up With the Window

Christ is dark enough and is ready for color, to cheeks and lips.

The older boy and youngest girl faces are also ready for color.

The cutting and fitting of garments have begun.

He appears dark flat on the table.  The robe is a beautiful regal blue, white gown.

Continuing with the older boy.

Thank you for following along.

Brining You Up to Speed for the Large Chapel Window Unit

Let me refresh you where this project begins.

With drawing that I will use continually as references throughout the construction.

There are portrait drawings that are used for staining the faces for the final window.  As well as reference for cutting the garments that will go in place.

First the faces need to be completed before the unit can begin final stages of construction.

In the first staining the reference marks are laid on the glass.  The stain is crushed glass powder that is fired at high temperatures in a kiln that melts the crushed glass into the substrate glass leaving the design.

successive firings doing the same thing will darken the image.

The process is continued through several firings getting the face darker.

And darker.

 

 

And darker.

 

Where the piece rests at this time.  On the light box, I can judge how the sun might come through and if the shading is too light still, or right.

He will need another stain treatment and kiln firing but, I can begin to add more character to his features as, he is almost dark enough.

I am working on the other two faces and the dove getting them to the finished stage and then we begin cutting glass for the rest of the unit.

Thank you for following along.

♥

Chapter Eight for the Window Unit Project

Let me catch you up.

Yesterday 3 faces and a hand went into the kiln and fired the next layer into the glass substrate.

I am showing you the placement for them on the pattern, that is used to building the unit.

They may appear dull because the oil has evaporated off the glass leaving just the glass chips.

Once they are fired the glass becomes glossy and vibrant.

Next I am mixing stains to decide the pigment best for skin tone.

Each sample needs firing, so I am making a color board and keeping notes on the formula so once the decision is made I will duplicate the right hue quickly.

Stay tuned I have other works I progress to show you.

Come on back
You KNOW you WANT to!

thank you!

♥

Chapter Seven for Window Unit Project

As I add more to the Christ face, you see the definition begin to build.

 

I placed the piece over the pattern where it will sit when it is complete.  You can begin feel a sense of his invitation.

 

 

Ready now for the next visit to the kiln.

I have moved on to the next face, the older boy.

Thank you for following along.
♥



Chapter Six Window Unit Project

From the pieces that went in the kiln of the precious post, I added to the Christ face.

I will add more, even before the next firing.

Let me refresh you to the process.
Using ground to powder glass chips mixed with an oil, I mover the stain around with brushes until I achieve the look I am after.
Then the pieces is placed in the kiln and taken to between 1100 and 1300 degrees to melt the chips into the substrate glass.

I can do layers on layers as many times that I need, but each layer must be kiln fired to become permanent to the glass piece.

Each trip needs to be carefully watched.  I can ruin the piece at every entry into the kiln.
Each time is an adventure.

There are not speckles on this piece the speckles are from the kiln top.

Come by again to follow the story and process.

♥

Chapter Five Window Unit Project

Now that the blanks are ground and cleaned up ready to stain.
The staining process begins.

Taking crushed to powder glass, I mix an oil with it so I can move the glass around and create the design on the glass.

Shade the piece.
Make the face features or fingers.

The faces showing are for Christ, the youngest girl and the eldest male.  All on panel one. 
My approach for staining glass is a little different than from other Stanier's.
I work more as if I am working on canvas and build the layers slowly.  This process will require more visits to the kiln but, I prefer the effect.

This is the first visit to the kiln.  I have begun where the shading is and some of the features and I will add from here.

Christ hand welcoming ALL.
Typically I am shy about hands but, I think this is turning out pretty well.

All of these pieces have fired and will be added to over the next few days.

Next post I will tell you about a few projects I am working on that will be alternating in the kiln.
These are commissioned box and glass portrait projects.

Come again.
Thank you!

Chapter Four Window Unit Project

Welcome Back!


Now that the patterns have been settled, it is time to begin cutting glass.

After all the glass blanks are cut to the shape designated on the pattern.  There are small nubs that need to be removed.

So it is time to grind them smooth and get them ready to stain.

There is a nifty machine for that.

Thank you for following along!

If this is your first visit to the story, go back to the home page and follow from chapter 1.

Enjoy the process!!

Second chapter for New Hope Window Project

After all the decisions are made choosing the glass that will comprise the windows. 
You wait.
And wait.
And wait some more.

FINALLY the day arrived for the crates to arrive!

Eric Reiser brought the pallet from their store Reiser Lumber, as they accepted the shipment for me.
Down the road, to the Stagecoach Gallery back door.
Which was heavenly !! Since I am constructing the windows in the Gallery workshop.

I went to work right away un-crating everything.  All the supplies I need, the frits and foils and zinc, then the yummy stuff, the glass!!

Two crates of glass is in here.
I will select from here any glass I will use to cut and piece together to make our window come to life.

Thank you for following along ♥

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Mary Simpson Hunt
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Stagecoach Gallery