The Tree exhibition project

Well what was the Dryad project has changed. After a day of drawing I came to the realisation that prancing tree spirits just weren't going to add to the work as a whole and it was time to change course.

I've started with another piece of glass and different imagery. I've decided to go with the 'Monarch of the glen' type deer with the antlers extended to branches. I'm curious as to how this image / trend started as I can't find references in mythology. I think maybe it's a blend of mythology and contemporary fantasy fiction...but I could be wrong.

 I'm learning how to use gold leaf, the attempt below is just to get an idea of how it looks with the glass. From this I think it will work well if I improve my technique.

trialling components on the kitchen bench, back lit

trialling components on the kitchen bench

example of the deer with tree branch antlers

Antartic animals let out of the kiln

Here are the bunch of animals I made for Ruth's 'Antarctic diorama' (to entice kids to make the workshop). I probably said this too many times yesterday...but I've never really made anything CUTE before...

Penguins, seals, starfish and random fish (and a visiting polar bear)

my favourite seal

baby Harp seal (hopefully)

granted, Polar bears live in the North not South

Some like it... hotter

phew, today was hot, about 32c....which is lovely unless you also spend 6 hours of it in the hotshop blowing glass. For the evening shift Nadine and I took a break after each object, letting the pink from our faces fade before we got back into it. Lots of water was consumed, but somehow it is never enough.

Shovel nosed lizard, does it's 'too hot' footwork