small custodians of the bay

seers of the mudflats

sharp tailed birds

sort of same

but not same

linearly facing

complicated glassy gusts

static

but not

not quite

A friend wrote those words in response to pictures I sent……………Lovely. Not much more I need to say really……..

Well. I guess I can explain how I came to make them….

First efforts were made using an opalescent streaky glass I favoured at the time…

I next had a go with sand-blasting on a scrap of expensive hand-made glass. Beautiful but, sadly, weak.

But now, ha-ha, I have my kiln. (How did I manage without it?)

So, I love how these birds flock on the bay. Scurrying along the waters edge…rapidly reversing when a wave breaks. Quite comical really. And then all huddled together in that beautiful roosting pose. And when they’re in flight, well that is another story again. Wonderful sweeping waves and patterns ……(big head-scratch to capture that bit…….but I will. ………..)

I looked at lots of images and footage on youtube……….

I decided to go with two strong outlines on a white whispy glass and paint on the markings using layers of black and brown paints. Experimental – but hey, I’m game.

Then the grubby bits of leading and grouting and endless polishing….

Now I just need to find some stonking bits of wood on which I can mount a flock.

I’d quite like to incorporate a bit of wiring too…

But in the meantime………..just quite beautiful.