Maverick Mike Returns From Texas

The students in Michael Janis' "Visualizations in Glass" circle around the instructor.

Our urban cowboy, Professor Janis, returns to Washington, DC after a teaching stint on the wide open ranges of Hot Glass Houston - looking a bit like he was rode hard and put away wet. (Like he normally does, without benefit of photoshop services.) He had a great time, and sent some photos of his frit powder imagery class, and tales of sitting by the campfire with the class. 

The students learned how to create imagery from frit powder.

The students dove right in, creating a series of samples of different techniques.

The class was very focused.

The students each created great images

A light touch...Michael divulged all his secrets of how to create fused layered images from frit powers and other media.

Besides the sgraffito technique, the students learned how to deconstruct an image into separate layers.

The images were assembled and fused into narrative studies - getting the 3 day class ready for larger works that pulled all the techniques together.

Cynthia Gilkey works on a piece that incorporates a tribute to her mother, Rieko.

  

Cynthia's artwork as she worked.

The finished work.

Glass artist Kathy Jordan Walsh shows off her imagery skills.

A dam built around the glass stack keeps the glass from flowing out during the firing process.

After firing, the colors mature - what a great piece!

The glass sets up their works inside the kiln - listening intently to Cynthia as she outlines how to minimize air bubbles and "edge needles".

The finished works as they are removed from the kiln.

Was there cattle rustling? Certainly. 

Houston has no zoning - the view from Michael's hotel. Cow tipping allowed.

Bowling with armadillos...in the glass studio? Natch.

Honkey-Tonks and wet t-shirt contests? Hell yeah - This is Texas, after all!

Opposite from Hot Glass Houston studio is the Red River Dance Hall & Saloon.

A great time was had at a great place!

Afterwards, the class celebrates a fun session.