Big Leaf Maple Acer macrophyllum

This piece is approximately 16" across. It is made from clear glass and frit, enamels and mica, utilizing a reverse "flip" technique. I used a Taurus ring saw to cut out the maple leaf shape after full fuse firing, and then slumped into a gentle bowl.  My inspiration was the huge native maple trees that are surrounding me on my land in the Pacific Northwest. In the fall, they begin to turn amazing colors.  Unfortunately for the trees, the unique spotted color patterns are a sign of an endemic fungal infection in the soil, made increasing worse by the weather patterns of global warming. I tried to show these beautiful patterns in the leaves, by using enamels and powders, and areas of glass color reactions, which mimic the stunning color patterns of the fall foliage.

• clear 90 COE glass
• frit and powders
• sunshine enamels
• mica