Etched Glass

Birch trees etched by Ron Branch For Rich Lamothe at Glass strategies in Portland OregonThese birch trees are an example of a style I am developing that is a combination of carving and shading. The idea is to have the design hold up in any lighting conditions.

Often the details of an etching which is just shading are only effective in front of a dark background. I’m trying to combat this by including carved elements in a strategically balanced way.

Birch trees etched by Ron Branch For Rich Lamothe at Glass strategies

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A Thing of Beauty

sanblast gun

sandblast gunThis is my fifth Paache of this type over the last eight or so years, so they last me a little over a year – not bad considering what I put them through. Its possible that the way I use it causes extra wear and tear – I’ll look into that with this one. It’s the best gun I’ve found so far. It’s not perfect, but it’s close. I’ll be breaking it in with a new freehand portrait technique, hopefully in the next few days. I’m still trying to decide whose face to do – I’m open to suggestions. I do know I would like it to be someone well-known, someone recognizable.

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Rooster Mosaic

mosaic projectMy wife and business partner Micky has finished her first mosaic.

She did a great job, but is disappointed in how long it took. I’m going to do my best to get her to do more. Her hands are very gifted in whatever she works on. If she does a few more I’m sure she’ll come up with plenty of tricks for speed, and I’ll never be able to keep up with her.

Her next project will be even more ambitious – five stained glass windows for the “Farm Cafe” in Portland Oregon which she will be starting in about a week. I’ll be doing a little photo spread of the process as it unfolds here on the website.

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