Gail Perry Glass Designs

Kiln-fired Glass

Welcome to my world of glass. I create custom kiln-fired glass art, also called fused glass, and I am located in Midlothian Virginia.

Art is creativity manifested through many expressions. Whether it’s paintings, sculpture, photography, pottery, architecture, glass, literature, music, theater, or dance, it heightens your senses and brings pleasure and joy into your life.

In my case, it’s about glass. I begin this journey in the early 2000s when I begin taking classes at the Visual Arts Center in Richmond, formally known as the Hand Workshop. I went in many directions, including stained glass, metal-crafted, jewelry, welding, poetry, and then glass fusing. I loved it. I bought a kiln In 2004 and was on my way. I settled into glass fusing and additionally creating metal-crafted jewelry.

When I begin, I focused on utilitarian pieces, such as plates, bowls, vases, and some sculptural pieces. Now I primarily enjoy making sculptural designs and landscapes and seascapes, plus suncatchers, and garden art.

My design inspiration comes from every day life, especially nature, whether I’m walking in the mountains, at the beach, by the river, or just in the neighborhood. While I enjoy the creative process, there is nothing like opening the kiln when the fuse is complete to a successful piece. And of course there’s real disappointment when a piece has cracked or something shifted unexpectedly. While frustrating, this is also a learning experience in knowing what went wrong.

A full fuse melts all hand-cut pieces of glass that have been arranged into a design. Then it’s often fired a second time in a tack fuse to add more texture and color. Depending on what I am making, there might be a third fuse- a slump, to take the shape of the final piece, such as a plate or a bowl or vase, etc.

I enjoy adding dichroic glass, which is coated with metallic oxides, and when fired, it causes a color shift that is magical and mesmerizing.

I got away from my artistic creativity for a number of years due to life situations, but I have recently rediscovered glass fusing, and I am back in a fun and fulfilling way. It feels good, so I say, “Welcome home Gail.”

Contact information:

Gail Perry Designs

Gailperrydesigns.blog

Elliegperry@gmail.com

804 216-3777