Intention // In Tension (2025)
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Cast powerline insulators, HXTAL epoxy
11.5" x 11" x 1.5"
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Despite originating from the same manufacturer, and having ostensibly similar compositions, the operating conditions and thermal histories of each insulator are carried forward and remembered to the present moment. Cast together in a single form, these unique histories yield minor incompatibilities that individually do not result in complete failure, but instead comprise a brittle body just at the edge of disintegration. These quietly held tensions will serve to eventually break the whole apart unless held together by external supports.
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#glass #glasscasting #art #recycledglass #recycling
Ah my quaint basement studio.
As I begin looking to move on from Penn State, I've been feeling grateful for this hole in the wall.
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This space has never been ideal for blowing glass, but I'm proud of everything I've put in to make it work over the past 4 years. Cleaning, repairing, and removing equipment, sourcing new furnaces for LionGlass, and just generally running this studio has taught me so so much.
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#glass #glassblowing #art #glassart
Some very exciting news out here at Penn State: the bubble in the first picture is the first time LionGlass has been successfully tested for studio use!
There's still a long way to go in terms of scale-up and development but this is a massive first step. LionGlass is a patented glass compositional family developed by the Mauro group that exhibits lower melting temperatures, higher crack resistance, and no carbonate batch materials compared to typical furnace glass (read more here: https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/new-glass-future-taking-lionglass-out-lab-and-market/)
With a lower melting point, the working range is also expanded, which is seen in (3).
Currently this glass really doesn't glow when in the working range which makes glassblowing just that much harder (4-5), but this critical first step proves that we can feasibly use LionGlass in place of SLS.
📸 @supersparticle
#glass #art #artscience #steam #eureka #science
On this day five years ago, I took my last gather in the UW Glass Lab (@uwglass ).
When this photo was taken COVID was still an active concern (note the hot pink 6ft social distancing tape circle around the bench in the back), and I was planning a move across the country to start my PhD at Penn State.
On this day five years later, I am pleased to report that it was not the last gather at UW by far, because this fall, I will be returning to my alma mater to pursue an MFA in glass!
That's right folks, it's time for:
EVEN
MORE
SCHOOL
In all honesty I'm very excited to dive back into glass and craft education with my full focus. Later this month I will defend my PhD dissertation, then celebrate by heading out to @pilchuckglassschool for Session 4 before packing up and moving back to Madison.
I owe major thanks to @hotpinknoise for helping me stay connected to glass, and to @dr.johnmauro for supporting my pursuit of glass art AND science throughout the course of my PhD.
#gradschool #glass #artscience
Some last hailstones to share as the weather turns warmer
2-3: Bullseye Clear & Sapphire Blue
4-5: Recycled vase (Spectrum 96 murrine/Bomma)
#glass #glasscasting #glassart #hail #artscience
Devonian fish specimen
Kiln-cast glass
Bullseye Clear & Sapphire Blue
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Part of an upcoming exhibit at @emsmaag
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#glass #fossils #kilncasting #artscience
Fossilized mastodon teeth
Kiln-cast glass
Gaffer Dark Orange Red (G-235), Gaffer Bronze (G-218)
Another glass fossil that will be part of an exhibit in @emsmaag
#glass #fossils #artscience #glasscasting
Reduced scale mastodon jaw
Kiln-cast glass
Gaffer Emerald Green, Gaffer Clear
Part of a series of fossil specimens cast in solid glass for an upcoming exhibit at @emsmaag
#glass #glasscasting #glassart #fossils #artscience
The hail just keeps comin' !!
1-2. Recycled glass (lead crystal candy dish) w/ yellow enamel powder; some residual stress in this one that shows up as a faint rainbow
3-5. Re-cast Spectrum 96
6. Scrap Spectrum 96 amber sheet
#glass #glasscasting #hail #recycledglass
Dual purpose test castings of some smaller hailforms in a few new colors (new to me, at least)
1-2. Gaffer Uranium Green
3-4. Gaffer Lilac (color-shift)
5-7. Bullseye Clear/Spruce Green
#glass #glasscasting #warmglass
