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Sandcarving

This website documents my journey from 2000 to 2004 to understand and develop skills in glass carving. It also contains links to valuable resources on the subject, shown in the navigation structure on the top of each page.

I no longer carve glass. Health problem have made the process somewhat frustrating. I I still have many friends who carve, and this website - and sandcarver.org - still get major traffic. So, I'll leave these pages up on the web in the hope that they may be of some help to begining carvers. I've put up a companion Picasa photo album here: http://picasaweb.google.com/sandcarver08 with more and larger photos.

Seventeen years ago, I was visiting Sausalito, California on business, and went to lunch at a restaurant that featured several deep carved glass pieces as part of the decor. That simple experience proved to be life changing. I later discovered that glass carving would become the nexus for both the technical and creative passions in my life. Developing the equipment and processes required that I dig back into basic engineering skills; creating full range images means applying all I ever learned (and then some) during forty five years doing black and white photography.

So, if this was a "journey", did I ever get there? (Sound of laughter.) In 2000, I decided to "get serious" about my carving, and started on a five year self guided apprenticeship program. Since I'm retired, and don't have to produce work for sale, I could spend full time (40 to 70 hours per week) doing glass carving, or designing/modifying equipment. I took 18 months off to design and build a house, so I'm now only about 30% into the effort: still a beginner, with a long way to go. The good news is that my interest is still very high, and I'm excited about FINALLY getting to the "art part" of the program.

I do this work for my own enjoyment, and for the creative collaborations it has spawned. If you are an artist or aspiring glass carver, please contact me; I'd like to see your work!

This page links a variety of work; the Technique page links to the same work, but also includes a personal critique of each piece, lessons learned, and resulting development of new techniques.

Mucha Interpretations

This series takes the work of Alfonse Mucha (1860 to 1939), and interprets his concepts in glass. Mucha's beautiful work incorporated color, and he didn't have the constraints of a medium that limited texture, pattern, and shading. That makes these images tough to do really well, especially work that features three quarter portraits. Profiles are far easier to do in glass, since carving a three dimensional nose can be challenging. So far, three pieces in glass, Mucha's La Primavera (shown here) and La Plume.

Classic Motorcycles

Two pieces in glass so far, and many more planned: 1912 Pierce Arrow four cylinder, 1936 Harley Knucklehead.

Classic Automobiles

Several pieces in glass, many requests for more: 1931 Chrysler Imperial Dual Cowl Phaeton.

"Pensive Woman" Series

Inspired by watercolorist Steve Hanks, I've wondered if the gentle moods he uses could also be created in glass, without the benefit of soft colors and warm lighting. One piece of art in progress. Two attempts at this, as I develop the technique to put fine textures on top of deep carving.

Judy's Angel

This piece is based on wonderful art from my friend Judy Powell Free.

Carousel Horses

These are a kick to do. Especially building the three dimensional contours of the horse itself. One piece in glass, more planned.