Demonstration:  Liz Spurway - GLASS ARTIST
Tues March12th 2019 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm – Glass Art

Liz Spurway gave an excellent demonstration and talk to members on the production of  glass art.   There was a range of finished glass outcomes on show and Liz demonstrated the process of kiln firing  and glass cutting.  Liz Spurway is a mainly self-taught artist who has been exploring and developing her passion for many years via local art societies and college courses/workshops. Her work is varied as she enjoys experimenting with different mediums and techniques, including painting in watercolours, acrylics and pastels. She has sold her art throughout the Cotswolds at various craft fairs and exhibitions.
In recent years Liz has adopted a more contemporary style, creating fused glass art wall plaques and pictures, as well as plates, bowls and jewellery. Liz’s modern designs are mainly drawn from her interest in landscapes, seascapes and buildings and incorporate her love of colour. Each piece is individually designed, cut and then fired at high temperatures in a kiln. The nature of glass art means that no two items are identical, making every one unique. This type of work is very time consuming, requiring patience and an eye for detail. Liz creates all her work at her studio in Fairford, Gloucestershire.
Liz’s enthusiasm for working with glass has resulted in her wanting to share this with others and has recently created some fused glass courses and demonstrations.
The demonstration begins with the introduction to the different types of glass used, the equipment required to achieve the result required,  the  techniques used to create the effect desired and the accessories available to enhance the designed piece.    A piece of jewellery is cut, then heated in a kiln to become fused so that the change in the glass when hot can be experienced.   The beginners class titled “An Introduction to Glass” enables students to understand the compatibility of glass and how it reacts to critical processes.   The projects enable the design and creation of a candle holder, a tile or mug mat, cutting the glass, encapsulating different materials between two layers, and making a piece of jewellery from dichroic glass. The next class “Exploring Glass Design” enables the student to experiment with different techniques to achieve their design.  This  includes using glass frit and powders with stencils, using decals and glass paints to create a piece which is slumped into a chosen shape. The day includes a light lunch, with tea and coffee provided throughout the day.
Please make contact with Liz on 01285 712715 or email:   lizian.spurway@btinternet.com