Inside my studio this season, crushed glass frits and refractories take center stage. While kiln-fusing and lampworking remain core parts of my practice, my deepest creative work happens within the delicate realm of pâte de verre.
What is pâte de verre glass casting?
Pâte de verre is an ancient French glass-casting method where crushed glass granules (frit) are mixed with a binding agent to form a paste. This paste is carefully applied layer-by-layer inside a custom mold before being fired in a kiln. When fired correctly, the glass particles fuse together without melting completely flat, creating a luminous, sugar-like crystalline surface.
Exploring the new butterfly shadowbox series
Following the success of my framed glass leaf series, I am expanding my studio experimentation into pâte de verre butterfly shadowboxes. The frosted texture of pâte de verre naturally replicates the iridescent scale structure found on natural butterfly wings.
Glass Frit Granule Size ──> Mold Layering ──> Firing Schedule ──> Translucent Light Diffusion
What inspires the current color palettes?
This season's color combinations are drawn directly from Western Canada's summer landscape:
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Pink Lemonade Palette: Warm rose pinks blended with citrus yellows, capturing bright, nostalgic summer energy.
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Lake Louise Palette: Glacial teals, deep aqua tones, and icy blues inspired by Alberta's high-altitude mountain lakes.
This butterfly series is just beginning—expect larger sculptural wall works and expanded natural forms as my kiln experiments progress!
