Murphy, Karel
Artist Statement
One could say that I have a split artistic personality because I like to fuse art glass and also design jewelry using glass and/or semi-precious gemstones. First and foremost, I am a jewelry designer and have created a style which combines my interest in glass and gemstones into my jewelry pieces. However, fusing art glass provides me with the freedom to experiment and manipulate glass by color, texture, shape, and how a piece will be used, be it a functional serving plate, platter, bowl or a decorative piece of art. Fusing art glass has opened many more doors to my creativity, and I find if stimulating and just plain fun.
Art glass fusion is complex, and contains a level of surprise from beginning the initial layout to the end product of a fused piece. Art glass comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Dichroic and iridescent art glass have special coatings that will change color and appearance depending upon the angle from which seen. Colors can change during firing because of chemical reactions. Fusing results will differ depending on firing temperatures: low heats provide more texture, while high heats smooth or round out the surface. If the art glass is fired too fast or cooled too quickly, the glass may break or crack into pieces. Once fired, pieces can be slumped into molds to yield specific shapes or can be free form based on design. There are infinite possibilities when fusing with art glass that can be very exciting and challenging.
Magic is the only way to describe what it’s like for me to fuse art glass. When a glass piece goes into the kiln for firing, its appearance is how it was assembled. But….after firing and opening the kiln, the kiln gods have given a gift which may or may not bring forth an “Ahhhh!”
About Karel Murphy
My name is Karel Murphy, and I am a fused glass artist and jewelry designer on the Oregon Coast in Newport, Oregon. The name of my business is “Windy Sea Designs.” My artistic career is a result of a life-time interest in glass and jewelry design with specific emphasis on use of color and texture.
My educational background in glass has been through: study with practicing glass artists; attending workshops and classes through the Craft Center at Oregon State University, the Eugene School of Glass, and Bullseye Glass which is a leader in glass manufacturing. I have also attended Hot Glass Horizons which is held annually in the Pacific Northwest, and is a professional conference teaching the latest glass techniques and showcasing new products.
I am a member of the Willamette Valley Chapter of the Oregon Glass Guild, and I sell my art glass and jewelry off my website at: http://windyseadesigns.com. My fused art glass and jewelry can also be found in the following galleries: Breach The Moon Gallery in Newport, Oregon; Don Terra Artworks in Sisters, Oregon; The Max Gallery in Tucson, Arizona; and Shorelines Gallery in Poulsbo, Washington.
I like working with glass because it lets me play with a variety of colors, textures, shapes and designs. My glass pieces are meant to be functional, and can be used as serving pieces for food and/or decorative display.
Buy Karel Murphy’s Artwork at Shop.Donterra.Com
Follow Karel Murphy’s Updates on Twitter
Like Glass Artist Karel Murphy’s Windy Sea Designs on Facebook
Artist Karel Murphy’s Website
Artist Code: WSD
