DOING MORE POURING ON GLASS

     Everyone who has seen my large commissioned glass pour has agreed that this is my best work yet, at least as far as acrylic pouring is concerned.  They like the fact that it is a poured ocean scene on glass and finished with crystal clear resin, a combination that creates an outstanding look that's full of depth and highly attractive to buyers. (See my Feb 15th blog "Commissioned To Do a Large Pour")

     This got me to thinking that I need to do more of these glass paintings!  However, thick glass is normally expensive to purchase which means I would have to charge a high price for my artwork.  Actually, by the time I purchase all the necessary glass, paint, and resin materials, I would have far too much money invested to make a profit.  Resin is even more expensive than the glass, and now you see my dilemma.   So, putting on my thinking cap, I came up with a way to get glass cheaper by purchasing  second hand and I managed to find quite a few different sizes of glass too! Then, by buying the other materials in bulk, I was able to bring down the costs to within a comfortable range. I couldn't wait to get started!

     But wait!  I realized that I needed to come up with a way to display these pieces.  Each piece of glass measures 14" x 24" and being 3/8" thick, they are quite heavy weighing approximately 10 lbs. before paint and resin are added.  I had to put on my thinking cap again.  This time I decided to mount the paintings on wood which can be hung on the wall.  I did more research on the internet and found "edge grip standoff" hangers.  They attach to the wall, or in this case, to my wood and hold the glass about an inch away from the wood backing.  That allows light (or "a light" whichever way I decide to go) behind the glass.  The wood will have either an aged grey or a modern light wood finish.  A friend gave me some old farm fence pieces.  They are old and weathered making perfect wood for backing the glass.

     UPDATE:  My husband and I were at a flea market recently and while there I had an epiphany!  We happened to walk by a booth that had rough wood planks for sale.  He said the wood was red cedar from our Florida swamps.  It was beautiful, smelled heavenly and was perfect for my needs.  This wood still had bark on the edges, the ends were full of curves and pits, and some even had spirals in the graining. My mind started spinning with the possibilities! This would compliment my paintings so beautifully!  We purchased four planks to try and he assured me he was there every weekend with more wood to sell.  (I have pictures below)  If I could wax the wood and cut it to show off those curves, then mount the paintings on it, the end result would be organic, beautiful, and have a wonderful smell.  An all around winning situation, especially when you consider that we are recycling materials to create  something so beautiful.  People love having a great back story to share when they purchase a piece of art, and when the art is truly unique, that makes it even better!  One of a kind pieces for sure!

     Having worked out all the logistics for this style of painting I am ready to get started!  I know my gallery in Ormond Beach is anxious to get some of these to put on display so I want to have one ready to take with me when I go to do the next Acrylic Pouring workshop. (I do them every month or so) The paintings need at least a week for the paint to dry, then another week for the resin to dry, then finally comes the mounting process. Meanwhile, I finish the wood so it is ready for the glass to be mounted.  As you can see, I must get busy very soon!  This glass has been setting outside, so I must clean it thoroughly and then spray on adhesive promoter which helps the paint  adhere tightly.  Only then can I start painting on it. Whew!  That's a lot of work but I am really looking forward to it and,  I think this is going to be a very popular painting style!  It makes me grateful that the lady approached me about doing the first commissioned painting on glass. I posted about it on February 15th entitled "Commissioned To Do a Large Pour."  She currently has it sitting in a window in her home here in St Augustine, but it will be permanently installed in her beach home on the gulf coast of Florida soon. She sent me a text showing it in the window, and also showed me a light she has picked out to place behind it in the gulf coast home.  It will look really cool!

           I have photos below of the paintings.  I hope you enjoy them and see you next week!

"GAMBOGE AND ROSE"
6 x 28.5 (glass)
10 x 44 overall
mixed media on glass
float mounted on rough-cut red cedar

'GULF COAST SUNSET"
30 x 56
mixed media on glass, finished in resin
the client decided to hang this on the wall using boat cleats

                This is the stack of glass that's sitting on my back porch ready to be painted


This is the first of the glass series I am doing for the gallery.  It measures 11 x 19 before being mounted on the wood.

  Number 2 also measures 11 x 19 before being mounted on wood. My remaining glass pieces measure 14 x 24.  These are going to be so much fun to do, and will be beautiful when coated with resin and mounted on the wood backing!  I will of course post pictures of the finished pieces.


"GOLDEN SUNRISE"
'Oceans on Glass'
11 x 19.5
Acrylic on glass/ resin finish
Not the best photo but you can see the shine that resin gives it

         The painting is mounted on wood using edge grip standoffs that suspend it 1" off the wood or it           can be removed from the wood and mounted directly to the wall using the same standoffs.  I already had this piece put together so I will leave it alone for people who like modern pieces, but the next ones will be on my red cedar planks or the farm fence.


     This is a closeup of the red cedar.  Isn't it gorgeous! I just love the character and how good it smells!

"BLISSFUL BERYL"
'Oceans on Glass' series
the painting  is 6" x 28.5"
the entire piece measures 15" x 47"














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