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Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known. - Oscar Wilde

The Process

All of my sculptures are designed, crafted, fired and finished in my workshop located just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina.  

 

Each work in my SHARDS series is free-formed with individually cut shards of glass that are carefully arranged and layered to create their fluid shapes. Constructed piece by piece and layer by layer, my process requires just the right balance of space and weight to ensure the sculpture fires properly while forming to its intended shape and size.

 

My CRYSTALLINE series is inspired by geodes and gemstones, combining the properties of uncut, natural stones and crystals with the brilliance of refined, polished jewels. Each sculpture is crafted with hand cut and crushed fragments of glass, sifted and layered in varied densities, shaping and forming as I go. Many of these works feature open cavities where I've allocated space in the design for the glass to stretch and drip as it becomes molten while still holding to the planned formation. This technique is my most difficult to get right. Constructing the piece is a meticulous process because my intentionally imbalanced areas have to be perfectly balanced within the overall design; if not, the sculpture risks collapse during the firing process. 

 

Depending on complexity, it typically takes 1 to 3 weeks to complete a single sculpture from concept, design, construction, firing cycles, and the finishing process. Each one is an individually crafted work of art; no two are ever exactly alike.

 

With all of my works, forecasting how the glass will pull, expand, and meld during the heating and cooling cycles is essential from the start. I'm working backwards through a creative process that requires both prediction and precision. Sometimes I get it right and sometimes I don't, but the risk of failure never outweighs my love for the challenge.

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SHARDS sculpture: Grand Teton

(sold)

Kell Glass: Chrysocolla

CRYSTALLINE sculpture: Chrysocolla (sold)

Below is a brief photo tour of my process while creating a sculpture. Please click the images for full text. Photos courtesy of Nan Gray | Gray + Howard Studio.

Welcome to my workshop

Developing design plans, color combinations and sculpture details

Large sheets of glass are cleaned, sectioned, and prepared for cutting into individual shards

Cutting shards of glass into the sizes and shapes planned for my design

Shaping the edges of cut shards to fit the composition layout

Arranging and layering shards to begin shaping the base formation of the sculpture

Piece by piece and layer by layer the design begins to come together. Depending on size and complexity of the design, the sculpture is ultimately constructed with up to 8 layers of glass. Achieving proper weight and balance throughout the composition is critical to the firing process.

Once the composition is complete, the kiln is prepared for firing cycles.

Every sculpture goes through 2-3 firing cycles; first to meld the composition and blend colors, and then to bring it into three-dimensional form. Each firing cycle takes 18-24 hours, with cooling periods in between.

Programing the kiln to specific temperatures and hold times according to my intended texture, shape and size for the sculpture. In the final cycle, stainless steel forms are used to guide the glass as it becomes molten and takes its shape.

Once the sculpture is fully formed, cooled, and removed from the kiln, it's inspected for any imperfections prior to the finishing process.

Rough edges are sanded by hand.

Crevices and areas in the folds are made smooth.

The base of the sculpture is then chipped and grinded to a level finish.

The ridges left behind are then sanded and polished to smooth completion.

The sculpture is thoroughly cleaned and then etched with my signature and date.

Photographed and ready for it's new owner.

COPYRIGHT 2025 | KELL GLASS LLC | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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