Cosy Cow – Kiln-Fused Glass Panel

Description

This whimsical glass artwork features a stylised cow wearing a bright woolly hat, created using an experimental kiln-formed glass technique.

The image is made from individual textured glass fragments, each created from small fused blocks containing nine layers of glass and powdered frit. While still hot, these blocks are dropped into water to deliberately craze the glass, producing intricate internal fractures.

Once cooled, the crazed blocks are broken apart by hand, creating irregular shards full of texture and character.

These fragments are carefully selected and arranged to form the cow image. The pieces are fused onto a sheet of clear glass to hold the composition in place before being incorporated into a multi-layer glass panel with a soft white background.

The panel is fired again in the kiln so the layers fuse together into a solid glass block, preserving the lively textures created by the fractured glass pieces.

The result is a playful image with rich surface detail and subtle variation in colour and texture.

Because each fragment is handmade and arranged individually, every piece is unique.

Designed to be displayed on a shelf, stand or windowsill where light can pass gently through the glass layers.

 

Technique
Kiln-fused layered glass with fractured glass elements

Construction

• Shards created from 9-layer fused glass blocks
• Blocks thermally shocked in water to create internal crazing
• Fragments broken and arranged by hand to form the image
• Composition fused onto clear glass
• Incorporated into a layered panel with soft white glass background
• Kiln fused again to form a solid glass block

Size: Approx. 15 cm × 15 cm x 20 mm thick

Handmade by Maria McCann in Wiltshire.