Old Orchard Lighthouse Fused Glass Window Panel

Old Orchard Shoal Lighthouse was destroyed by Super Storm Sandy.  This lighthouse stood for over 100 years but all that remains now is the foundation.  I wanted to create a fused glass window of the lighthouse as it once stood.

Old Orchard Lighthouse Fused Glass Window Panel 

This fused glass panel was inspired by a photo I found on Flicker.  I would like to donate this panel.

Flickr photo copyright Jeremy D'Entremont; used by permission

To create this panel I gathered the Bullseye Glass Powders to paint the background.  It is difficult to envision the color the powder will turn after firing in the kiln, the sheet glass below each jar is a reminder. 

Bullseye Fused Glass Powders and Glasstac

To paint sky and sea, mix powder with Bullseye Glasstac to make liquid glass and spread with a paint brush.  The clouds were mixed with less liquid to make them thicker and then more powder in different shades was sifted to give them a thicker feel.

Sky and Sea Stages of Construction

The first photo shows the liquid glass after it is painted on and still wet and the second photo shows the painted background after drying. The third photo shows the background after firing to 1480 degrees F in the kiln.

Old Orchard Lighthouse Stages of Construction

To create the lighthouse, the basic shapes were cut from opaque sheet glass.  In the first photo you can see the the fireplug shape.  I added weld lines, railing and shading with liquid glass created by combining Bullseye glass powders and CMC. The third photo shows the layering of glass frits to create the rocky foundation and the spray of water.

Old Orchard Lighthouse Fused Glass Window Panel

This is the Old Orchard Lighthouse Fused Glass Panel after its second firing in the kiln.  I hope this lighthouse is remembered.