Fused Glass UGC Enamel Paint Italian Cityscape

Finished UGC Painted Italian Cityscapes

My first attempt at glass landscapes using UGC enamels.  These might be more cityscape than landscape, but I love drawing all the intersecting lines.  I based my glass sketches on photos I took in downtown Catania, a larger city in Sicily. 

Old Buildings in Downtown Catania, Italy

This Italian city is filled with really old buildings surrounded by newer traffic signs and asphalt streets.  I tried to include some of the architectural detail and some sort of newer vehicle. My drawings were done in UGC Outline Black.  It was hard to decide what to include from the photo and what to edit out.

UGC Black Outline of A Building

After the black was set, I layered the UGC colored enamels to give the buildings depth.  I had to wait for each adjacent color to dry before adding another to preserve crisp edges.

UGC Fill Paint Dry and Before Firing

Here's a photo of the painting process.  I think my favorite tool to apply the UGC enamel is the toothpick.  I try to use a new one each time so the paint pots don't get contaminated.

UGC Fill Paint Wet and Before Firing

Each building was fired with a different kiln schedule.  The colors on the red building did not mature completely before sandwiching between glass layers and formed more bubbles and a different texture.  I'm not sure which firing I prefer.

Sharon Warren Glass | sharonwarrenglass | sharonwarrenglass.com | FluttterByButterfly | Sharon Warren Glass Artist

Fused Glass Workshop in the Harry Potter Closet

The US Navy has moved us from Jacksonville, Florida to Sicily, Italy this past summer.  My glass workshop was downsized from an expansive 2-car garage to a much smaller laundry room closet.  It has a 5-foot door that opens into an awkward space nestled under the stairs.  Oh well.  We are getting settled and my new shop is almost complete.  

Fused Glass Workshop (the Harry Potter closet)

The space might be tiny, but the view from my front door is huge!  Here's Mt. Etna right after a rainstorm.  It is an active volcano so maybe a show is in our future.

The View of Mt. Etna From My Front Door

My new Jen-Ken fiber kiln sits against concrete block and plugs into the highest rated surge suppressor I could find.  I had to leave my big kiln back in the states and can't seem to find a good place for my torch.  I was able to fit 3 storage racks in the weird space under the stairs, I just have to be careful not hit my head.

My Jen-Ken Bonnie Glo Kiln and Glass Storage

I'm using a vintage metal desk for a worktable.  Some of my favorite pieces hang around me and there's even room for more.  A huge plus of a teeny tiny workshop is everything is well within reach. 

My Work Desk