ABOUT MY WORK…
Vitreous enamel
is high quality glass that has been ground into a powder form
and colored with mineral and metallic oxides. The enamel is fused to a
metal surface by firing it in a kiln at an average temperature of 1500F. In
my work I fuse the enamel to fine silver or 24k gold. Typically, a piece is
fired as few as 6 or as many as 70 times, each firing with a new application
of enamel. In this manner, the permanent richness and depth of color unique
to the art of enameling is acquired.
I use a
technique known as Cloisonné in all my work. With this type of
enameling, my designs are created by separating the glass colors into cells
outlined by fine wires of 24k gold.
Another
technique which can be seen in my work is Basse-taille. In
Basse-taille enameling, a pristine metal surface is manipulated to produce a
textured field. The texture can be created by traditional engraving, engine
turning (also known as Guilloche, as in Faberge eggs), stamping,
hammering, repousse, chasing, or shallow etching. The metal is then covered
with layers of translucent enamel. The textures underlying the enamel
create deep reflections and color tone changes within the piece when viewed
under varying light.
My
completed enamels are then set into individually built settings of 18 and
24k gold. |
(click picture to
read
article in Bethesda Magazine) |