More 'Hearts For Windows'. I am catching up with a couple of requests for the orange and red hearts as well as for some sparkly one for the Christmas tree. These are numbers 92 to 97 and I started cutting a few more today. My shoulder decides when I am done for the day and today it was early. My goal is to have another batch of six ready by Sunday. Each one is cut freehand to keep the shapes random.

No new images to share yet. The plate and screws were removed from my shoulder last week. I have ten weeks to work with the physiotherapist and at home on range of motion exercises before I am allowed to use any weights or resistance bands. That means I am limited to small pieces for the next couple months. I am going to try to solder a small batch of hearts on Friday and see how it goes. Both hands have so many important roles and need to move in so many different positions through the cutting, grinding, foiling, soldering and polishing. If I succeed, I will post pictures here.

A long-awaited trip to hug grandchildren left me with little time to create glass in September. Each day in my workshop leaves me wanting more creative time. Both the hearts and the fall hills will be hung at Galerie Old Chelsea on Sunday when I am on duty. If you are in the area enjoying the Studio Tour, please stop in and say hello!
I spent Canada's first Peace and Reconciliation Day creating these hearts while reflecting on the horrific experiences at the Residential Schools and how much we have learned about the cumulative impact of trauma on society and individuals. The irregular shape of each heart recognizes that individuals are shaped differently by the impact of the personal trauma suffered by them and by previous generations. Each heart has two distinct sides - the clear side represents the calm, tranquil image individuals often convey publicly, while the denser glass with embedded designs reflects the pain, turmoil and passion that reside within. 
 - My role in the creation of 'Falls Together Like Love' was to appreciate the shapes and colours embedded in these two unique pieces of glass and merge them as simply as possible to convey the warmth of a Fall day.

While I am still limited to a maximum of two square feet, I have been playing with shapes. Both of these pieces are 33 inches wide and 9 inches high and flowed from some concept drawings done more than a year ago. The flowing waves aim to provide a sense of calm and peace. 'Being' (green background) will be heading to Galerie Old Chelsea soon. Free Spirit came off my table yesterday morning and was sold in the afternoon. Time to head back to my workshop to change the shape for the next piece.

I love to work large so my current physical limitations challenge me as I limit my creations to a maximum of two square feet. Piece of Flame incorporates heritage glass and softer colours into a classic Frank Lloyd Wright confetti and balloons design. This piece lets all of the light into the room while providing some level of privacy. It measures 8.5" x 25" and is available at Galerie Old Chelsea. $250.

After working small for the past few months, I tested the limits last week and created ‘Dawn’. This privacy screen with heritage glass features is 22” x 17” which is just over two square feet. I learned that the shape and weight are the at outer edge of my strength and dexterity for now as the movements required to lift, turn and hold in awkward positions to finesse the soldering are tricky. Fingers crossed this will improve after a follow-up surgery in the Fall. I also learned that manually cutting the zinc frame with a hacksaw requires more strength training for my hand and wrist. This means I will continue to work small for the coming months. I will be creating more Hearts For Windows (for so many reasons!). These five were created the week the first of so many unmarked graves were identified and reflect the strong feelings and emotions this invokes. All of these are now on display at Galerie Old Chelsea, open from Thursdays (noon to six) to Sundays (noon to five).

Working small was still the theme for June and my thoughts went to Piet Mondrian. Using classic Piet Mondrian designs, the first piece used clear glass in primary red, yellow and blue with flat white. Curiosity led me to create a wider rectangle using youghiogeny (youghi) glass. The production of the youghi glass typically results in varying thicknesses and uneven coloring which introduces a sense of air and movement. Of course, I could not resist creating three more Hearts For Windows in Piet's colours.  Let me know your thoughts on the two very different results as I just know there will be more, and larger pieces, as the summer progresses.

Love Is Love - Hearts for Windows # 58 - An explore through my glass stock this week revealed this beautiful glass with movement and flowing colours. The concept for this stylized heart has been rolling around in my head for a while. Some complex cuts and lots of grinding. There may be a few more as I experiment with sizes and curves. 

For the Love of Piet! Ode to Piet Mondrian. I am still working small and with glass left over from previous projects. This piece is only 7 inches (17 cm) wide and 14 inches (34 cm) high. I would love to make a large version of this but, sadly, my supply of yellow flash glass is nearly depleted and the likelihood of getting more is pretty slim. I have other 'yellows' but they are not true primary colors so would not be true to the spirit of Piet Mondrian's works.

Working small. Recovery from my broken arm is slow and it took a couple of months before I had the strength and dexterity in my hand to get back into my workshop. I May, I was able to complete these three small pieces, each drawn from the chaos that is the collection of precious pieces of glass left over from previous projects. The first two pieces used the teal glass remaining from the creation of 'Courage', the heart I donated to a fundraising auction recently.
Go With the Flow is 6.5 x 9 inches and reflects my acceptance of the need to work small for some time yet. The light on the leaves in the tree outside the window reflects in the glass and changes how the eye perceives the color. 
Recovery is 13 x 8 inches. The wine glass base reminds me of a spider web. Spiders spin webs between seemingly random points and are often challenged to rebuild those webs because life or nature intervenes. As my own recovery progresses, I feel like the spider, rebuilding the network of muscles to restore function to my arm.  
For Salem is 4.5 X 8.75 inches.  A gift of a the glass bead inspired the creation of this glass to brighten the room of a special young girl. Now I just have to wait for the lockdown to end to deliver it.
Let's see what June brings.