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Evelyn Gottschall Baker works and resides in beautiful Buena Vista, Colorado. With over twenty years of professional experience in the arts, more than six of which has been dedicated to the field of glass fusing, she strives to capture the intricacies of nature through keen observation and attention to detail. “I primarily experiment with techniques that add texture and dimension to paintings and sculptural work. My most recent work focuses on using Pate de Verre in non-traditional ways to produce three dimensional glass sculptures. My professional career began as a Graphic Artist and Illustrator. As Advertising Manager and Senior Illustrator for the Department of the Army, I created highly detailed, exacting paintings and drawings. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree I became a Test Engineer for a large U.S. defense contractor. During this time, I studied watercolor and oil painting, and took classes in stained glass, which allowed me to pursue a part-time career as a stained glass artist. I chose to work in stained glass, as I wanted to explore a style different from my painting style, which was detailed and realistic. I took my first fused glass class in 2011, primarily to create components to incorporate into stained glass pieces. My interest in fused glass grew into a passion, which I eagerly pursued by taking a number of classes, many of which were through D&L Art Glass in Denver. Now that I have retired, I am able to dedicate my time to following my passion.” “Living in Colorado, I find it natural to try to capture the beauty of our local landscape into works of art using glass. My initial desire to simplify my style was well suited for stained glass, but as soon as I discovered glass fusing, I began re-introducing detail and realism into my art. During the past year, I have embraced this realistic style, and have begun to use both traditional and non-traditional casting and mold techniques to create sculptures that depict the beauty around me." “During the past year, I have experimented extensively with glass powders, developing a method of sculpting glass paste into dimensional forms that are fired without the use of molds. My experience as a Test Engineer has proved invaluable in shaping the discipline necessary for the methodical, detailed testing required to create the complex firing schedules for this method, which must account for shrinkage, varying thicknesses, and the way in which heat affects individual components. It is my pleasure to share this technique through teaching other artists, as well as through the display and sale of the resulting sculptures.” In 2018, Evelyn began teaching her techniques in workshops throughout the US , Canada, and Scotland. Awards: Bullseye Glass, Emerge 2018 Finalist and Honorable Mention Click here to see all of Evelyn Gottschall Baker's upcoming classes. |
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