Throughout history, People have suspected that glass is magic. How else can a material be explained that imitates other materials but cannot itself be imitated? That is five times stronger than steel, yet can be broken by the human voice? That is invoked by heating sand and ash and then bewitched into an infinite variety of forms and textures in an astonishing array of colors? That is hot liquid and frozen solid, transparent and opaque, common and exalted?

Tina Oldknow, Clearly Inspired


JudyBuffoGlass

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.