Priscilla Kinnick

Artist Statement

My Interest in developing artistic skills began at Stillwater High School, but took an extended sabbatical while my husband, Tom, spent 22 years in the US Navy during which we stayed busy working, graduating from college and raising our children.  Upon his retirement, we returned to our hometown, Stillwater, OK.  Where we both taught at the high school.  After teaching primarily psychology and sociology for 20years, I retired in 2006 then began taking classes at Stillwater's Multiarts and elsewhere.  My avid interest in glass fusing took off after taking beginning and intermediate classes twice then I purchased my own kiln.  Since then, I've been mostly self-taught although the advice of Dick Spearman at Art Glass Emporium near Langston has been invaluable.

Glass fusing and slumping are often referred to as warm glass, or glass art fusion.  A kiln is used to make the glass molten and to join two or more pieces of glass.  This process is also known as kiln-forming.  These pieces of glass are designed in a layered manner in a kiln.  Through several firings a new piece of glass is created.

Dichoric means two colors.  When this glass is viewed from different angles, it appears as numerous colors.  It is created by adding a thin layer of metallic oxides to glass.  It transmits certain light wavelengths while reflecting others, causing an iridescent effect.  Because it is expensive to make, and 18"x18" piece could cost more than $100.  That also means it takes a certain amount of courage to use it in designs because of the risk of a mistake that makes the piece unmarketable (as I well know!).

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