Magic Blue Orifices

Judy Buffo – Artist Statement

Fused glass chose me, I did not choose it. In the 1970s my late husband took classes in stained glass at what would become Bullseye Glass Company.

My late husband and I visited contemporary stained glass installations and learned about the process of making “antique glass”, which a founder of Bullseye was working to perfect. A few years ago, I needed glass for kitchen cabinet doors and looked on the internet to see if Bullseye still existed, and learned their glass is now shipped worldwide.

I took an introduction class in fused glass (otherwise known as kiln formed glass) from Bullseye. Unlike blown glass, fused glass involves cutting glass into shapes and assembling them in a layer of specific thickness with no gaps between pieces. I loved the fact that this is a very graphic media. To be expressive within the restrictions can be satisfying, since less is more.

For me, creating in fused glass is a fulfilling balance between art and technology. I have revisited geometry, and algebra to create specific pieces and when appropriate, incorporated the “Golden Ratio”, a ratio used in nature and throughout history for art. Inspiration comes from unusual places: a woman’s handbag, a mosaic tile design in an Italian cathedral, patterns from 15th century Ecuadorian pottery, and designs from Navajo weavings.

I am fortunate to have one of my plates, Shooting Stars on a Clear Evening, featured in the Bullseye Catalog which is shipped worldwide.