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Optical Study #6

kiln formed glass 5" x 9" x 3"
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Grey bubble bowl with optical foot

kiln formed glass 10" x 10" x 4"
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Large platter

kiln formed glass 14.5 x 14.5" x 2"
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torpfac-1804.jpg

Study in Black and White – Chartreuse

woven, quilted, beaded fiber 29" x 29" x 2"
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Series I, #6, 2011

woven fiber 18" x 18" x 1"
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Series I, #1, 2011

woven fiber 20" x 18" x 1"
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I work in both woven fiber art and kiln formed glass. I learned to weave as an apprentice to a weaver in Denmark in 1970, and continued after my return home. I took many classes in the Washington area and attended Haystack School of Craft. My weavings developed into an exploration of the technique of warp face weave, with many layers of fine rayon dyed in color progressions. In 1999 I took a workshop in fused glass and was immediately fascinated by the process. It was for me yet another way to work with color, shine, pattern and texture. The designs developed in the weaving have greatly influenced my glass, and I now find that the glass in turn is influencing my weaving. During the past year I have been exploring a technique of capturing bubbles between layers of glass using a grid of glass stringers - a "weaving" that produces texture in the glass.

The two major influences on my work are Scandinavian design and the Washington Color School painters. While I was growing up my father ran stores that imported Scandinavian furniture (and textiles and glass) and Scandinavian design magazines were around the house. Also growing up outside of Washington DC I was aware of the Washington Color School painters, and remember seeing shows of their work that made a great impression on me. Color, especially color that moves and changes, has always been my primary interest.