Great Blue Heron Egret Fused Glass Antique Window with Waterbird

A Fused Glass Great Blue Heron Framed in an Antique Window

A great blue heron stands calm and motionless, just witnessing the day as his image fills the frame of this recycled antique window.

The Fused Glass Heron Photographed in Afternoon Light

Here is another photo of the same fused glass window in different lighting.  The heron seems almost balanced, just standing and patiently waiting.

We Saw This Waterbird While Paddling the Eastern Shore.

This great blue heron was spotted while kayaking Virginia's Eastern Shore.  That day we paddled past bald eagles sitting in trees and watched as turtles motored by.  I'm always amazed at how different the world looks from the water.  

An Original Heron Sketch for Fused Gass

This art glass started as a sketch on large graph paper.  I tried to capture the curve of the the feathers from the crested head and repeat them in the undulations of the water and the shapes of the grasses.  At this point the sky is kind of unplanned.

The heron and background were cut and pieced so that the art glass could be taken to a full fuse.  This will make the final panel seamless and smooth.  It is 2 layers thick and heavier than other pieces I've created.

Bullseye Fused Glass Powders and CMC for Detail Painting

To add detail to the heron, I mixed Bullseye Glass Powders and CMC in dixie cups and applied with a toothpick, very technical.  Glass added in varying shades of blue and then layered over opaque white help to give the body a feathered look.  I used aventurine blue sparingly because it has such a high saturation.

Bullseye Glass Powder and Frit Background Before Firing

After firing to a full fuse, I flipped the now solid glass piece over and built up the sky and clouds.  Soft blue and turquoise powders were sifted on the back with clear frit added to create an almost lacey pattern.  The clouds were mixed with a little liquid to make them thicker and then more powder was added to give them an even thicker feel.

A Fused Glass Heron - Statuesque and Peaceful

This is my great blue heron after its third and final firing.  He stands statuesque and peaceful.