The work of artist Terry Corcoran Gomien is an expression of the details she observes while hiking or working in the garden. As nature is ever evolving it provides constant inspiration for endless creativity.
“Every object I make for the Garden Collection is made to be seen from a distance. I choose vivid combinations to stand out from the natural landscape. As you are drawn closer, you will notice the play of light through the glass and the fine details that define each piece”.
Working primarily in glass fired and fused in a kiln, her sculptures convey a liveliness of color and whimsy. The process of glass fusing happens in the heat of the kiln. The glass used for fused glass art is created directly for the purpose of fusing. Fused glass comes in many forms such as sheet glass, small pieces of ground glass called Frit, strings like spaghetti called Stringer and thicker glass pieces called billet. For most pieces, the glass is cut to shape, layered and placed and then fired in the kiln at a temperature hot enough to stick together. This usually takes place anywhere from 1200-1500 degrees Fahrenheit. The coefficient of expansion (COE) is what keeps the glass from cracking apart. This is the rate at which the molecules in the glass heat up and cool down. Glass with a similar COE will fuse together. Terry uses Bullseye Glass handmade in Portland, Oregon. It is considered COE 90 glass and comes in a rainbow of colors both transparent and opaque.