BIO

Crisinda is a fused glass artist at The Studio door gallery. She is a native San Diegan with a love for travel. Her love for nature and bright colors was developed during her travels to various Pacific islands and Europe. She was introduced to the medium of fused glass about 40 years ago. She continued to develop her medium under tutelage of renown glass artist Bonnie Dull.

Crisinda’s work is characterized by elements of whimsy and sparkle. Crisinda has shown her glass work in number of gallery exhibitions and was awarded 3rd place in the sculpture category. Crisinda’s work was  selected and featured in an international catalog for the glass artist supply company “Slumpy’s”.  Her work is also found in private homes nationally and internationally.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My journey in glass began with a 1 day workshop about 35 years ago and continued with glass art classes for the last several years. I became obsessed with the medium of kiln fired fused glass. I am mesmerized by how glass transmits and reflects light as nothing else does. When light passes through glass, it is magic.  

I am inspired by the patterns both literal and random found in nature and space. I love strong colors and sparkle that add light to each piece. I use various techniques to create depth, movement and unique patterns in my glass. Fusing glass is particularly fascinating because it is a surrender of a sort – you are really co-creating with the glass. I love the surprise each time I open the kiln and see my vision made real.

The beauty found in glass can rival that of the most precious gems or metal, yet we also find it in the windows of our home or simply holding the water and food at our table. I strive for beauty and whimsy as well as function in my work that appeals to both the artistic and the everyday. I love tempting folks to touch and wonder how I made that bit of magic happen.

WHAT IS FUSED GLASS? 

Fusing glass is actually one of the oldest methods of working with glass, some historians say it goes back to the time of the ancient Egyptians. However, the first definitive evidence of glass fusing can be traced back to the Romans, who used this technique before the discovery of glass blowing. 

Fused Glass, also called warm glass or kiln-formed glass, is a special kind of glass that must be fired in a kiln at temperatures from 1100 to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit to join separate pieces together. Different ranges of temperatures usually have different effects on glass, from melting and fusing them to completely allowing the glass to simply soften over a mold. 

My designs come to me from my environment and dreams, as well as from what the glass tells me. Working in my studio, I create these designs by cutting and layering the glass to form textures, light and shapes. I then place each piece in my kiln. The most exciting thing about working with fused glass is co-creating with the glass. I have found that you can design and plan as best you can but the glass will also have ideas in the fusing process. This often creates wonderful surprises when I open my kiln at the end of each firing.