Art from Ashes

Our dog Wilson lives on, with a piece created on glass using his ashes.

March 31st already, and I realized I have been getting behind on my monthly blogging duties. My mind has been a bit distracted the last couple of months, dealing with loss. Losing our very best companion and furry friend due to lung cancer this last January, has taken it's toll on my partner and I. Grief is a very hard and real emotion to deal with. Maybe because the love and loyalty of a dog is so pure. Actually, between our son's dogs and ours we've lost 4 furry friends within 12 months time. It's been especially hard for us with our dear Wilson, a Lab/Retriever. We have always been "Dog People", but when Wilson came into our lives, we knew there was something extra special about this good and noble soul. Now after just under 11 short years, we are adjusting to the new reality of life without him. Those who don't care for animals probably wouldn't understand. But for me, the grief is still raw and real. So I decided to blog about it to show what has come from the healing process so far, when dealing with a loss of this sort. The loss of the unconditional love of our furry friend, has turned into an art form of sorts. 
I thought I'd share what has been created in the Studio, as  memorial keepsakes for all the dogs. The picture above was created by screen printing some of Wilson's ashes onto a sheet of white glass. It was then fused in the kiln. And the picture below is a painting Russ created of our dog, using glass enamels. It was also fired in the kiln and will be added to the keepsakes we have, to remind us of the great dog he was. He will forever leave a lasting imprint on our hearts. And now with the glass art created, we can see daily reminders of his goodness and love he exuded. 

The essence of Wilson: Painted with glass enamels and fired on glass. 

The next picture below was also screen printed onto glass using a black enamel fine frit. It was created as a memorial to "The three". After carefully sifting the fine frit, it was then annealed in the kiln. Our son and his family's now-departed dogs, and our "grand puppies" -the late Bear and Tank, are pictured alongside Wilson. Back in the day they were the best of friends and frolicked in water and on land. Their memories are chock full of the happy adventures enjoyed in years gone by with all of us.

Wilson, Bear and Tank Memorial made of glass.

And we had to have a piece to remember dear Copper, the oldest of them all. He was also a good and furry friend that deserved the best we could give him. We adopted him from family members and he lived with us since 2011. He passed last July, at close to 15 years of age. I created some string art in his likeness. Russ fired some of Copper's ashes onto a red glass heart, pictured below. We spread the rest of his ashes behind our property, where he used to teach Wilson and Maggie how to hunt mice.

A memorial to our sweet dog Copper.

I suppose the hardest part of the last two months has been watching our last remaining dog Maggie, become so confused and lonely without her BFF. She is filled with a sadness I can feel. It has truly been gut wrenching to deal with. But with time, we move onward as best we can. It has really taught me to savor the little moments in time. Before you know it, they are forever a memory. Life has a way of teaching us all lessons if we are willing to learn. I am forever grateful for the time I have got to spend with all our furry friends through the years. It has taught me the great lessons of compassion and empathy.  Russ and I are so thankful they were in our lives and filled our homes with love and happy times. So fortunate to have had them, even though just a short blip on the time-clock that is our associated with our own lives. 

Wilson and Maggie's last walk at the Park before he passed. 

Maggie missing Wilson, sleeps on his old bed. 

So dear reader, if you have gotten this far in my blog, thank you for allowing me to share my grief. It is somewhat therapeutic to write about. Meanwhile life keeps moving on, waiting for no-one. We are trying to get back into the rhythm of working in our Studio. The art piece pictured below was selected to display in a National Juried Art Exhibit this month at one of our local galleries. Russ received an honorable mention for it. The name speaks to the viewer to contemplate what is important in each of our lives. Not everything in life is black and white. When we look deeper, life can take on new and colorful meaning, if we think outside the box. We can be held back by small thinking, or move forward to progress to a deeper and more fulfilling life on this planet, working in harmony with all the planet already provides. "The future is in your hands" is a powerful testament to that. 

"The Future is in Your Hands"

 

Enjoying what we have in times of uncertainty

 Reflecting back on what went on this month, other than our steady stream of Etsy orders, we were able to collect our thoughts and take a breather of sorts from the Studio and enjoy the great outdoors. I appreciated the chance we had to get away to one of our favorite places on the planet, which just so happens to be a short drive from our town. Earlier this month we delivered some new blown glass wildlife pieces to the store that carries our glass in Jackson Hole. We decided to make the best of it while there, and enjoyed a weekend of camping. The Tetons did not disappoint. Also, a short day trip and hike into Yellowstone proved challenging for someone with arthritic knees, but the beauty taken in was worth it. 

A picture perfect view of Mount Moran.

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Water so clear, the rocks were perfectly visible. 

Peace and solitude at our campsite. 

Artistic wildlife that was delivered to Jackson Hole earlier this month. 

I was also so fortunate to welcome grandchild number 7 at the very end of last month. With the threat of Corona virus looming over the world, I felt so lucky to have quarantined enough to help  my son and his family out when precious baby was born. She has brought light and joy into the world, and I was happy to spend precious time with her recently. My hope is that she grows up in a world free from this pandemic. We are all waiting on edge, hoping for a medical miracle that will put an end to the Corona virus. My hope is that all the grand kids will soon live in a world without this fear. We are so happy to be the proud grandparents of 7 wonderful grand children, makes life worth living. 💖

Our newborn Granddaughter

I've also had time to enjoy our backyard pond this month along with all the bounty coming out of our high tunnel and garden this year. I have already started canning, in between trips to the Post Office, delivering packages of glass gifts to customers. Trying to create normalcy in these very abnormal times. It pays to look at the glass 1/2 full instead of 1/2 empty. Until next entry, I hope this blog gives someone out there joy, in what seems to be an increasingly dark world. Here's hoping our Studio can continue to produce glass art as an inspiration of beauty for all who happen to come across it.

Enjoying our backyard pond on a hot summer day.

The new high tunnel is not disappointing us with the seeds we planted earlier in the year.

A sample of some of the goodness of the garden this year.

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.