Soledad by marisol diaz

The following is a detail in which one can see the sand-blasted figure in the foreground more clearly.

Soledad detail by marisol diaz

Untitled by marisol diaz 5"x7"

With a second layer of glass & color paint behind

This assignment was about further exploration into mark making and brush strokes with a liner brush, or without. Depending on how well one mixed the powdered pigment, the right level of viscosity can achieve a rich smooth line. The painting is started with a 'matte' which is much like applying 'a tone or a wash' in watercolor painting. The line work is called 'tracing' even if you are not 'literally' tracing. You can notice that a final step can often include a 'scratching'

Untitled by marisol diaz 81/2"x11"

Since I am really interested in graphic design and illustration I really tried to combine these varied interests. Often glass surface treatment is not narrative, but more decorative in nature. However, the images that I developed for the surface manipulation was more personal with a definitive narrative, so my interest in illustration and graphic line really started to show up.

Popped Balloon by marisol diaz

With this particular image - the assignment was to blast a hole entirely through the glass...I couldn't see how I would do that in manner that made sense me, unless it was through a heart. This piece is actually slightly smaller (than the on screen size) in real life and that adds to its charm - at this scale and with the flatness of the photograph - it loses some of its graphic pop.

Paz by marisol diaz

Think With Your Head Not With Your Heart Fool by marisol diaz

This piece is done on 1/2inch thick glass which is lost with the photogragh...and was most time consuming since the size is around 10 by 10 inches. I also 'royally messed up' by packing the glass in my backpack one evening to work after 11pm and after riding my bike, hence the side of the glass with no protection got scratched (good lesson to learn) and so I had to lightly blast the front edges of the piece to compensate...some say you would never notice if I didn't tell (another lesson to learn).

Still, these pieces are from the first few days of class...after which my work began to evolve in quite a different direction which I will share with you all next...so stay tuned.

An Empire sand blaster from the Corning studio cold shop! I've used sandblasters with my glasswork before but this class that I took taught by Denise Leone Stillwagon involved the use of stage sand blasting and vitreous painting - either as combined techniques or as separate ways to manipulate the glass surface.

Here is an early image of my desk as I was beginning a stage blasting assignment. Stage blasting is simply the process of blasting glass in stages so as to create deeper and varied levels of depth in the glass. Though I bropugght great picture references with me I often began every project with a drawing.

Here is a pic of the glass piece IN the sandblaster!

And here is the final piece...mind you it was simply a class assignment- there is no kind of 'heavy content' here since I was just trying to familiarize myself with the equipment.

Well I am off on my own for two weeks for another glass class...but this time - its at Corning! I have to say - I have taken classes at the following glass schools, Haystack - in Deer Isle- Maine, Pilchuck (2x on scholarship), Urban Glass in Brooklyn, NY, Bullseye in Portland Oregon, and none of these are physically as close to me in location as Corning is and it is now over ten years into my love affair with glass that I get know the Corning Glass Museum. It is the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory of the glass world!

I am on my third day and I have so much to show everyone...I have already made 5 sand-blasted pieces but unfortunately my camera will not work with my laptop and I will have to wait to show you all my pictures. The class I am taking vitreous painting and sand-blasting class taught by Denise Stillwagon Leone...a wonderful teacher and amazing artist! Some of the work we are doing is similar to work I have done in the past, but the vitreous painting is the same process as one of my favorite artists who I have blogged about in the past... Judith Schaechter Definitely click on that if you did not get a chance to see it before...there is also one of my stained glass pieces there.

I know this wasn't the most exciting blog but stick with me until I can get my new glass work up here for you all to see. Hopefully, this weekend when my husband comes we can get some new pics,...until then I am back to the glass classroom! ]]>Flickrhttp://amarettogirl.squarespace.com/blog/2008/7/19/flickr.htmlAmarettogirl2008-07-19T03:01:43ZArt photography

Ok so it took me forever to finally come around to creating a Flickr account and I am so glad that I did. Not only is it a phenomenal resource for creatives to join groups and link with other creatives, but it lends itself to digital photo innovation and the potential of doing more with your imagery - not only your knock-their-socks-off photos but your everyday photos too. The wealth of inspiration you receive as part of this community is priceless. My students have been telling/sharing this knowledge with me for some time and I have finally come around...I was also inspired by fellow blogger Dragonfly Reflections with her latest flickr venture. Oh and what toys have been created for flickr like this Mosaic Maker! So check out this 'sculptures' mosaic I made of varying detail shots of some of my sculptures. So if you were thinking about it and just haven't gotten around to it - don't think twice - join FLICKR!! Warning it is very addictive and devours hours by the seconds!

I'm inlove with my new bike... as a die-hard fan of well designed stuff and objects that embody ones extension of style, I originally wanted the highly coveted and impossible to get Petro Zillia featured in the thumbnail to the right and below. The Petro is a creative collaboration between the Electra Bike Company and Fashion Designer Nan Tochterman. As you can see it has mega - beaucoup - style and some amazing colorful features. To my limited understanding - its been discontinued...though I know ebay has had some sales.

Seeing as it (The Petro) was such a hard to obtain object and my bike riding days were here and now, I settled for a different Electra bike, the townie. I test rode this orange townie and a cruiser (the one with daisy's) and well, I fell inlove...it felt liek riding the BMW of bikes! Because of how the handle bars are situated I ride sitting straight up instead of leaning forward, which has helped my posture and back pain tremendously! The rest is history, because I had to have it...and what Lola wants..,

The 'Townie' has what is called 'flat foot technology' which to my understanding just is a design structure that swoops down that middle bar so short people like me (5ft.1 inches and a HALF!) can stand up. I can't tell you the pathetic small kids bikes I've had to use - so that I could accomplish standing up in the past.

I also bought the 'Quick release' basket and fell in love with that too. As an avid - no plastic bags person the quick release basket is such a sweet way to go to the grocery to pick up a couple of things. I sewed my own inside liner to really make my bike's look unique and I even added an inside pocket for my camera or cellphone. Since I'm still pining for some of the Petro pizazz, I'm working on my own handmade poms-poms and I plan to order fenders, paint them white like my back rack and customize them myself with my new found spray painting skillz. I'll be sure to share the progress!

The wedding which was held at their church (Casa de Avivamiento), was absolutely beautiful flanked in one of my all time favorite colors orange! Their Pastor Javier Rodriguez was their officiant. He made a powerful sermon of their wedding vow exchanges, considering that both my brother Michael and his new bride Sharon are long standing, active parishoner's and are in the process of building their own branch of the church.

Unlike me or our other brother Chayanne, Michael has both 'been chosen' and has chosen to follow in the divine path of preaching. Where as I am more spiritual than religious, Michael has found an extraordinary community, purpose and goal in life through his church and their religion.

Sharon's dress was absolutely gorgeous! And Cheers! to whoever designed the format of the wedding decorations which were stunning with coordinated drapery, columns, flowers and table linens...designing that effectively requires great artistic vision!

The cake was delicious and also designed in such a sophisticated and elegant manner, complementing the decor flawlessly! It was truly a spectacular event...check out the flower girl my niece Chamirelis!

Here is our side of the family, My brother Chayanne (Chami's dad), my father, Sharon and Michael, my aunt (Micheal's mom), and me.

I have a lot more images but I will be posting them all on my new FLICKR site soon (in a few days).

My Husband (Gregg Emery) and I made our six year wedding anniversary just a week before Michael and Sharon's wedding and here is our toast to Sharon and Michael:

We wish this young couple the great happiness, deep friendship, and un-bounding love that we (Gregg and I) have found together. Marriage is a lot of work and it takes clear, constant and caring communication, those of us who survive it, know that the ease of wedded bliss comes only with trust, clarity, mutual support and shared dreams. You are beginning a new nucleus, a new unit, a new family... begin your own new traditions and share the growing pains together (there will be pains and of course great joys)- the reward is indescribably beautiful. Never take the companionship for granted, for life is mutating and changing constantly and in each other you seek a changing constant not a familiar presumption. Respect each other's minds as library resources, as well as mirror reflections. Discover life together the beautiful and the ugly - for it is these experience that will bond you both to each other...no object has that power.