Artistic Bench Collaboration-"Lazy River"

Our latest artistic endeavor titled "Lazy River."

This month's blog features the latest artistic collaboration from our Studio, which took a total of 5 months to complete. At the very beginning of March we were approached by a city council member of Garden City (adjacent to Boise, the capital of Idaho)  to create an artistic and functional bench, similar to the one we created for the Idaho Falls Arts Council some 15 years ago. She had visited Idaho Falls a couple of years ago, and was impressed with many of the artistic benches that were placed all along the riverfront and our Downtown area. Their city council were interested in having us create a unique bench to be placed along one of their nature paths. Mind you, the project was given a green light before our State went into a "Stay At Home" order because of Covid-19. Luckily that order was lifted in time to deliver the bench by the requested deadline of July. So I suppose I could say we had plenty of time to carry out this labor-intensive project. I will take you through the whole process from conception on paper to the completed bench on the river. 

When asked to create a bench, the design was first conceptualized on paper.  

After approval, it was time to get to work. 

Strips of float glass were cut in a wavy pattern.

They were placed in layers before fusing in the kiln.

Multiple firings in the kiln to create a water effect.

After they slumped, we had to apply a green luster.

Once fired and polished, the design was prepared.

Next came the tedious task of adhering blown glass fish into modeling clay.  

Russ hand carved seaweed, fern alongside the fish. 

Rebar was bent into place for reinforcement. 

The mold is now ready to be filled with concrete.

The first pour completed.

Float glass was added to the top.

Waiting to separate the concrete from the mold.

Success with the first pour. 

Next, to create the columns. 

Much thought went into reinforcing. 

An inside view.

Textured concrete stamps rolled into the form.

Modeling clay on the face of the glass pieces. 

First column poured.

The form is stripped away from the concrete.

Now comes the tedious task of picking out the clay.

Timing was critical to remove the clay before the concrete set up. 

In this picture you can see the steel in-beds in the columns that support the bench. 

Prepping the top.

Fortified concrete was added after final prep. 

Russ getting ready to begin the first assembly.

Ready for an acid stain. 

The stain is an acid-based colorant. 

Disassembled and ready for the long haul to Boise. 

Garden City employees showed up with a crane.

Thank goodness! It weighed almost 1,000 lbs. 

They transferred the pieces into their small trailer. 

This part had me holding my breath. 

Ready to assemble on the nature path.

Teamwork

Laying it out. 

Installing the bolts in the steel in-beds.

Almost there.

Grouting in the center column.

Tedious grouting.

Final touches. 

Blown glass fish accent.

Whew! The project came to fruition!

A nice plaque was added.

Covid-19 can't stop art! 

We were happy to provide this beautiful bench as a natural aesthetic for fellow Idahoans to enjoy.  It is located by the Nature path along the Boise River in Garden City, Idaho. We hope the local residents get many years of enjoyment from this latest piece of art produced by A Touch of Glass Studio. Until next time, stay safe out there.

March....Full Steam Ahead!

A float glass train created in the Studio for a relative, who works for the Union Pacific Railroad.

And just like that, the March winds are blowing right through us, (literally) right up to the end of the month. You have to be tough to deal with the high desert winds that blow through Idaho this time of year. We have a relative who fits that description. He's about as tough as they come, and fits right in with his job at the Union Pacific Railroad. Our nephew asked Russ if he could come up with a glass design to fit the railroad spike/knife. It was to be gifted to our brother-in-law. Since our nephew has been a great supplier of the float glass, sending us old used window glass, we were happy to help out on this project. Another great example of "up-cycling".  Russ used topographical contouring to create the train's shape, and the wheels and front were scored with our glass saw. We think it will be an heirloom for generations to come. 

Screen printed glass Owl accented with glass enamels.

We managed to fit in a trip to Boise this month to visit our son and his family, and celebrate his birthday a little early. The owl pictured above was a house-warming gift that we thought could go alongside a computer-generated piece of artwork he had already created, using his graphic design skills. This project is one of the first attempts at screen-printing on glass. We will be showcasing more screen printing on our blog in the future. There is still a lot to learn, but we have the basics down, and it looks like a promising medium to add to the repertoire.

Spring is blowing into our Studio, new life everywhere!

 We have been involved in many different glass projects this month, that will spill over into April. Special requests are a constant now, and keep us on our toes. But there is always time to stare out into the backyard at the sure signs of Spring around here. (Besides the wind!) And when the Mallard ducks arrive, we know warm weather is just around the corner. Happy Spring and Easter weekend to you and yours!

The ducks always come back to our little pond every Spring.