Tag Archives: art glass

A Brief History of Blown Art Glass

Blown art glass is a beautiful type of glass that has a rich history. This unique, visually-stunning glass allows viewers to see amazing patterns when using a kaleidoscope. A fascinating history allows fans of the artistic type of glass to learn more about how it was developed.

blown art glass

A Historical Overview of Art Glass

Here is an overview of some of the most important events related to this type of glass.

  • While sand has to be exposed to high heat in order to form glass, glass has been used artistically since approximately 1600 B.C. Pieces including vases and jugs that were made with glass during this time were considered to be rare and valuable.
  • Glass blowing is a technique that has been used since 100 B.C.
  • Transparent glass was not developed until the 1800s. Brightly-colored pieces were common before techniques for creating transparent glass were properly developed.
  • Artistic pieces that were made entirely of glass were especially popular during the Victorian era. Ornate vases adorned many upper-class homes during this time.
  • Glass is a material that is still used in artistic pieces today. Glass blowing is a specialized skill that has become more popular as artists become interested in learning this technique. One major appeal of blown glass is the fact that each piece is completely unique due to the method that is used to create it.

To learn more about blown art glass, visit KaleidoscopesToYou.com.

Artist Profile and Interview with Sue Rioux

Karl and I here at Kaleidoscopes To You just love our Flip Camera technology. It allows us to capture so much more of the kaleidoscopes that we feature and now we are beginning to capture interviews with artists. This allows you the rare opportunity to learn even more about how and why these kaleidoscopes are so fabulous.

At the most recent Brewster Kaleidoscope Convention, Karl had the opportunity to interview Sue Rioux; a fabulous stained glass artist. During this interview, Sue talks about her work throughout almost 30 years of art. Her training is as sculptor and painting; however her work in the late 70’s is predominantly flat panel stained glass installations. Then Sue saw the brass kaleidoscopes of Janice Chesnik in a gallery in southern California. Sue began using brass tubes with her stained glass to create kaleidoscopes as well and then the glass inspired Sue even more.

Sue’s work since the mid 90’s has been flat panel stained glass construction with beautiful barrels or oil filled barrels for the chambers. Sue also fuses glass and dichroic glass in her kiln to create beautiful components for her kaleidoscope exteriors, barrels and interiors.

Take a look at Miraposa.

Miraposa by Sue Rioux

Miraposa by Sue Rioux

This creation showcases all that is fantastic and unique about Sue Rioux’s kaleidoscopes. The fused and dichroic glass soldered into this exquisite turning barrel.

Miraposa Barrel

Miraposa Barrel

The technique and solid construction of the body and the mirror system.

Miraposa Eyepiece

Miraposa Eyepiece

The vibrant colors.

Miraposa Interior

Miraposa Interior