Art courts the physic, we respond to color emotionally and intellectually. Color, form and symbols, natural or man-made are interpreted by way of our particular culture, we all feel and reason by way of subjective and objective experience. Visual reflection carries one to the reflection of the conscience and sub conscience mind, a multi layered experience of thought and feeling. These windows of abstract color, form and reflection employed in my current primary medium of Abstract Eglomise’ with reflective elements, are something of a behind the looking glass experience, a photo-intrinsic mosaic, where neuroscience and imagination create opportunity for personal introspection, consideration of other dimensional planes just outside of our present existence. Our physical form, a composite of all known elements of our universe and while looking through the glass, one might consider the origin of our existence, we notice ourselves, in the art, a reflection of creation.
An experiential transition to my current style of Abstract Eglomise’ with Reflective Elements / reverse painting on plate glass mirror began in 1994 when the Birmingham Museum of Art sponsored an exhibition of the Pilchuck Glass School Artists featuring Dale Chihuly. The summer of the same year I attended a session at the Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle to study lead crystal casting techniques. Two years later, after completing a B.A. in Art Studio at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, I began my tenure as fine artist. June of 1996 I established a hot glass / multi media studio in two spaces’ of the former Republic Steel facility in the confines of Wade Sand & Gravel here in Birmingham. Robin and Caroline Wade provided the space where today I continue my work. In 2005 my primary medium was cast and blown glass, it was my ninth year at the Republic Steel Works Studio, pondering the what next, what would be the next style and or medium to explore? In the spring of 2005, a local interior designer contacted me to ask if I could antique a large mirror for her home? “ I have never done this Betty but, will give it a try… just for you”! Through experimentation and a few serendipitous experiences, I discovered a unique way to tarnish the reflective coating on plate glass mirror, I developed an alkaline gel that allowed the reflective coating to tarnish / etch without using acid. This was the initial introduction of my efforts to create the look of an aged / distressed mirrored surface using new plate glass mirror, making a positive impact on the world of design and the lives of those who have adopted the techniques to produce unique objects that reflect light, project light and color, the reflective coating of the mirror became an element of design, perhaps an 8th element… My current style of Abstract Eglomise’ with Reflective Elements / reverse painting on plate glass mirror came out of this antique mirror experience, incorporating experience of previous years of decorative and abstract painting and sculpture into a unique proprietary style of art.
I continue to find opportunity to work in various mediums, and hope to discover additional new techniques with, cast glass, metal, wood, multi-media compositions, painting and photography.