Mesmerizing Formations Inspired by Naturally Occurring Designs.
Artist: Glenda KronkeGlass at its resting state is solid and static. And yet, when heated, it becomes wonderfully malleable. This process may sound simple, but it takes great skill and vision to turn molten glass into something beautiful, a balance of art and science, strength and patience, flexibility and creativity. To be fair, most artistic techniques benefit from these traits, but glass as a medium has it’s own unique challenges. Most artists who get into glasswork and stick with it tend to develop a deep passion that you can see reflected in their work. Take the truly inspired kiln formed sculptures of Austin artist Glenda Kronke. She creates visually stunning pieces with vibrant hues, mesmerizing patterns and intertwining branches, reminiscent of different wonders in nature. She has developed a one-of-a-kind style that celebrates fused glass as a technique as much as her inspiration. I can’t help but think of coral and other under the sea mysteries when I see her pieces.
Expertise: Fused Glass
Additional Talents: Sculpture
Materials: Glass, Kiln, Slumping Molds, Finishing Tools
Style: Brightly Colored, Intricate Woven Designs
Inspiration: Mysteries & Wonders of the Natural World
Common Creations: Wall Sculptures, Vases, Platters, Bowls
Website: www.gkronkestudios.com
Shop Offline: Galleries
Social Media: [Facebook]
Home Base: Austin, TX
Spotted At: East Austin Studio Tour
Using a kiln to shape glass is not an easy feat, and you never know exactly what will come of it when you close the lid. Through practice and a good understanding of the process, you can plan out what you want to achieve and hope that the glass will behave at high heat. It is only the very skilled that can produce beautiful work time and time again. Glenda’s pieces require several steps to combine the colors and create the patterns. She does a fabulous job of layering complementary shades as well as creating ombre effects. Then her art takes shape by being slumped or melted into a form. Some of her most recognizable pieces look like they’ve been hung upside down, and the truth is, they probably have been. To get a vase shape from what starts as flat glass, you must turn up the heat and allow the sides to fall into place. Undoubtedly there are more secrets behind this artist’s technique to get her to such gorgeous results. The whole combination of medium, color, pattern and skill make Glenda’s glasswork worthy of great praise!
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Photography by Annie Winsett |
