Kelp Garden

January 2015

Kelp Garden has been on the drawing board for about a month. The original intention was to bring the sides up in several firings as it can't be done all at once.




When I had the glass cut and laid up I decided that adding kiln carving detail would accent the glass and add to the watery feel.  It was a decision that gave further depth to the glass and the outcome of the initial fuse was delightful.  Stage 2 and the second firing is the slumping or kiln forming.  My intent was a non-functional vase type sculpture, but because of the height involved it must be done in several stages and several firings.  The first drop was 5.25 inches - a big drop which must be done very slowly - over 20 hours in the kiln for the firing and then a full day to cool.

At each stage the glass must come out the kiln, be cleaned, dried and pondered...do you go further?  The play of colours, the twists and bends from this first slump gave me the feel and flow of kelp in the currents.  It was what I was hoping to achieve and feels complete.

I think all sea kayakers will agree...there is nothing quite as magical as floating along with the current through a kelp garden...and so the name. :)

Kelp Garden is kiln carved, fused and kiln formed Bullseye Glass measuring:                    

25 inches L X 17.5 inches W X 5.25 inches H  $950

Kelp Garden is currently in the Piers Island Studio.

Contact Pauline directly if you are interested in purchasing Kelp Garden. 

If you are a client of Morris Gallery or The Gallery at Mattick's Farm the piece may be viewed there by appointment.  Just contact the gallery and let them know you are interested in seeing the work.

The Joy of Frogs

I am sitting at my computer this foggy January morning scrolling through old photos, when I find this friend from 2009...The Prince of Ponds.

I had forgotten how they make me smile, how full of whimsy and how excited I was when the idea of a frog perched on a blade of glass, that was held in glass fronds...actually worked!

He was sold very quickly and went to a lovely home!  You know who you are. :)

As artists, we seem to be forever bouncing between periods of self doubt and delight.  The self doubt probably more...but then I see a frog that I created and smile.

Art can be full of many things, but I like to think that mine are filled with love.

Wishing everyone all the best for 2015 and I am pleased to say that I am back in the studio with joy and the promise of a new frog for 2015!

Monday Magazine Visits the Piers Island Studio

It was a delightful surprise to receive a call from Laura Lavin at Monday Magazine asking if I would be willing to do an interview on my glass work and have her visit the studio.  YES, would be the answer to that and then the explaining how to get to Piers Island.

The day was beautiful, the seas were calm and Laura made me feel right at home, oh wait, I was home! Being interviewed about your art is well, a bit scary actually.  I don't know why, but suddenly you are trying to explain the why of it and a lot of the time it's an "I don't know"- where do the ideas come from...  The wonderful thing about the interview with Laura was that from my responses to her questions she noticed that I referred often to experimenting and how much I seemed to enjoy that part of the work. Remembering the joy of the experiments (thank you Laura) sent me into the studio a few days later to begin anew and I am thrilled with my newest piece "Siku" (sea ice in Inuit).  It shimmers and reflects in iridescent rainbows, an ever changing sculpture.   Look for Siku at Muse Winery for the North Saanich Flavour Trail on August 24th & 25th.

Click on Monday Magazine if you'd like to see the video they put together as well as the online article.

Garden Glass to Butchart Gardens

I'm very pleased to announce that you'll find all 4 of my garden glass sculpture pieces at Butchart Gardens in the Gallery, or around the Gallery - inside, outside, I'm not sure, but as you can imagine...I have the greatest faith in their placement!

Butchart Gardens is located at 800 Benvenuto Ave. in Brentwood Bay, BC and I've included a little bit from their website and a link as well for their Flower & Foliage Report.

Maya & Tranquility on Piers

"Benvenuto!

Welcome to The Butchart Gardens. To answer an often asked question it is pronounced "Butch-art" Gardens.
Flower & Foliage Report - a list of what's of special interest right now.

Benvenuto, Italian for 'welcome', is the name the Butcharts used for their original estate, now a National Historic Site of Canada, and still privately owned by family descendants. The Butchart Gardens offers 22ha (55 acres) of wonderful floral display located in Greater Victoria on Vancouver Island. The family's commitment to horticulture and hospitality continues to this day."

I hope you'll be visiting Butchart Gardens soon and have a look for my Garden Glass there.  

Every garden needs glass! :)

Recycled Glass

Beauty & Function from Scrap

Falling Petals- 3 piece set $75

I've always liked the idea of being able to save and reuse something and keep things out of the landfill.  As a fused glass artist, we have to be so careful with compatibility and co-effiencies that taking old glass from anywhere is not an option. 

Many years ago we replaced old windows and sliding glass doors in the original cabin on Piers Island and saved the glass, for well, who knows what... the cabin was built in 1960 or so, so the glass is well over 50 years old.  Finally, in an effort to clean up, I cut the glass into bite size chunks.  After a few more years, I couldn't stand the idea of just throwing the pieces out, so again I cut them into sizes I thought would be functional.  Using kiln carving techniques I've been able to add a little flare to these pieces while slumping them into shapes.  The beauty of simply slumping the glass is that it is dishwasher safe as they are no bubbles trapped, as might be with a fuse.  Because of the age of the glass, the firing has left the pieces with a bit of a frosted beach glass look.  Perhaps sea salt imbedded over the years! :)

Each set is one of a kind and I'll post them in blogs or tweet when I have a new set ready.  Serving plates are approximately 14 inches x 6 inches, the bowls are 4 x 4 to 5 x 5 inches.
They are funky, functional and fun!

Kanji - 3 piece set - $75

Nautilus - 5 piece set - $100



These newest pieces are available at the Piers Island Studio or at my Etsy Store.
www.paulineolesen.com

Garden Glass at Muse Winery

Garden Glass

I've just delivered 3 new garden glass pieces to Muse Winery, on display and available for purchase. 

The two pieces shown here are Maya (left) and Tranquility (right).  These custom made forged metal stands have 8 inch long spikes to secure the stand in a garden setting.

If you're pondering the notion of something special to highlight your garden, have a wander in the Muse vineyard. 

I've been experimenting with glass in the garden for years now and sculpture in the garden just adds something special in the summer and is a delight when the flowers have faded in the fall.  If by chance we get a rare little snowfall, well the colours offset by a blanket of snow are incredible!

The pieces range in pricing from $750 to $1000 depending on size and the technique used.  The metal stands have 2 coats of Tremclad protective paint and can be touched up with a spray to keep them looking pristine.

Muse Winery is located at 11195 Chalet Road, North Saanich, BC.  Have a wander and a ponder over a glass of wine and  Happy Gardening!

Glass Only Show at Coast Collective to August 12th

I was hoping to show you quite a few shots of the glass work at Coast Collective, but I seem to be having issues with photo rotations, so here's an overview for you.  It's a beautiful spot at Coast Collective at Havenwood, overlooking Esquimalt Lagoon. 
The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday, and the show closes on August 12th so I encourage you to take it in. 

Artist Debbie Jansen has put together a collection of glass work in mosaic, stained glass, fused and blown glass from over 25 artists. 

You can find more information on Coast Collective and directions at www.coastcollective.ca

 You might want to take a picnic and make a day of it!