T with ‘Tude

Very early in the design phase, I named this piece – my #24 glass sculpture – T with ‘Tude. What do you think? Did I capture it? A glass sculpture with attitude!

I had done mostly vertical pieces in the past. A few pieces went horizontal like Morph II and Levitation.

But, since I am always searching for new expressions in my designs, I thought about combining both vertical and horizontal in glass. For this new sculpture, I wanted to get the mostly horizontal main element up off the surface.

I thought the idea had merit, but was concerned with structural integrity. My engineering background kicked in and I designed the blank like a mono support for a bridge where the vertical member spreads or flares out at the top to join the horizontal. The two join and blend together at the transition point.

Every piece begins with a determination of size. Some even have a rough notion of intent by then. Casting a sculptural wax blank follows. In this case, I cast two cylinders – one for the vertical and one for the horizontal, heated them up and fused the two together to form the “T” shape. Then I placed it on the bench and I waited. Paused for a while. Sensed my mood and my internal dynamics at that moment. And then proceeded to try and capture what I felt. Is it loose and flowing or tight and compact?

This moment of creation was open, flowing and dictated by the transitional need from vertical to horizontal – sweeping around the base, up and into the main element. Open it up, get some air and negative space. Draw the eye through this structure and cause the mind to wonder what is through there and around the other side?

I feel that the emerald green works especially well with the design. (First time I’ve used this color. Will do again, for sure.) It is both strong and sensuous and provides a unusual amount of translucency – changing from dark to light, depending upon the thickness of the glass.