[The Artist]

The Fused Glass of Dianne Budney

About 1985, I discovered stained glass as a hobby. It quickly became my favorite. While I continued my career as a computer consultant, I spent many contented hours "breaking glass". The bright, colorful glass carries a happiness within it that soothes all those who gaze upon it.

After the year 2000, I decided to retire from computers, to pursue my artistic cravings. It was then that I noticed the resurgence of fused glass as a hobby. (Fused glass is actually a very ancient art form.) I already had a kiln, from my days of ceramics puttering (or should I say "pottering"). I started experimenting first with window glass, then art glass used in stained glass windows and lamps. Finally I made the leap to the expensive fusing glass, which is specifically formulated to withstand the heating and annealing cycles of the kiln.

My chosen style is a contemporary one, with geometric designs inspired by the desert Southwest, and flowing lines inspired by the Caribbean waters. The process begins with the design, which is mapped out on tracing paper. Next comes the glass and color selection, then grinding and fitting. The cut pieces are then placed directly onto the prepared kiln shelf, and heated to over 1500 degrees, fusing the pieces together. The cool down, or annealing process, is vital, and takes 12-24 hours. After the fused piece reaches room temperature, it is again kiln-fired, to slump or sag it into the desired form.

The results are not only colorful, but durable and functional. What more could one ask? Beautiful to look at, but practical, as well.

[The Art]