Image of my teacher, Narcissus Quagliata, in a boiled glass panel.

I am still experimenting with boiling glass in my kiln. My teacher, Narcissus Quagliata (NQ) is working with his son, Orfeo Quagliata, to show us how Orfeo boils glass in a large kiln resulting in magnificent effects and glass pieces. His portfolio ranges from intricate sculptures, and countertops, to functional objects, each bearing his visionary approach to glass artistry. Through their mastery of form and light, Orfeo and Narcissus Quagliata have redefined the possibilities of working with glass.

To start this project I drew an image of Narcissus Quagliata on clear glass using enamel paint. The panel was fused and used as the base for adding broken transparent glass. The colors used were shades of blue, light purple, clear,  green, (including green lace), and a few strips of amber.

The piece measures 6.5" x 8.75" and is approximately .5" thick, and weighs 2 lbs 9 oz.  I dammed the project by forming fiber paper (1/8" thick) and blocking it with ceramic posts to hold the glass. No leakage of glass. The build sat on a Papyrus sheet on a kiln shelf.

The glass was level. If I had made one side lower than the other, there would have been more movement of glass. The unexpected results were what appeared to be part of his glasses distorted and enlarged. However, looking closely, I can see his glasses below that piece of amber which reacted to the blue. Even though I placed clear glass between the amber and blue hoping to block a reaction, it failed to work. If you look above his head you can see a part of the amber glass piece reacting. That too had clear beneath the amber which moved and the amber partially reacted. I wonder if this small strip’s change in formation and position is related to the glasses on the base layer.

After boiling the glass, there were sharp edges of glass along the top and corners of the piece. I ground those down and fire-polished the piece. I am considering cutting the piece with a saw with another fire polish to follow.

Predicting the outcome of boiling glass isn't easy. Orfeo has been boiling glass for over 20 years and can usually predict the results of color reactions and glass movement. But when working with glass, it seems there is always a surprise.