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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The Art Of … paint removal

restoring potters wheelI always enjoy fixing up a fixer-upper. I knew I was going to love this old potters wheel once it got cleaned up. It’s quite a contraption. It has a lever that you push with your foot that turns the big heavy lower wheel. Once you get it going, it goes for a long time on its own.

This was todays project. Several hours of sandblasting off the old layers, and then some really cool Rustoleum spray I found that gives the finish a “hammered” look. (Click on the photo to see progress shots).

potters wheel restoration

Dan de potters wheel San Hose Calif

sandblasting rust and paint

prepping metal for paint

sandblasting old potters wheel

sandblasting in Vancouver glass studio

sandblasting and painting

painting metal wheel in booth

project finished in booth

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