Technique

Technique: Upside-Down/Backwards

I don’t really stand on my head to create my glass art—but I do paint figures with their heads down and their feet up. With reverse-painting, the colors and designs that are in front are painted first. Words are also printed backwards—including my signature!

Paintbrush-in-Mouth Technique. My paintbrush frequently ends up in my mouth. You might ask why. It’s because I’m in a hurry—I have to work quickly, using lots of color, then drawing or blotting before the paint dries. I don’t want to take the time to put the brush down—and my mouth is the most convenient place.

Toothpick Tossing and Texture. I draw with toothpicks—scratching lines out of the pigment. As each one gets used up, I toss it in the air—until my work bench is littered with painted toothpicks. I also use plastic wrap and a painter’s comb to create texture—always working quickly while the paint is moist and flexible.

Paper Dolls. For glass designs with people or animals, I begin with sketches. For commissioned pieces, I work from photos or life. I often do dozens of sketches to capture the “essence” of many individuals in a group. When the sketches are good, I size them, flip each image and cut out “paper dolls” to place on the glass. Then I sketch the figures backwards and upside down on the glass.