CREATING RIVER TABLE

BACK TO RIVER TABLE

Original Sketch 1

This thumbnail drawing in my sketchbook was the start of River Table

Finishing heat on a grass form

As work is completed it is flashed in heat to equalize temperatures

Adding color to molten glass

Clear molten glass is colored by rolling through colored glass chips called frit

Crimping a grass form

Crimping in a cool constriction allows this glass form to be removed from the pole

First grass sculptures need grinding

Once cooled, glass needs to be finished by grinding the base flat on each piece

Scale layout begins

With just a few parts, River Table pieces begin to fill in a full scale map of the project

Glassblowing studio

Collection of glass botanicals

Table Legs

Hand-pulled glass will become the legs of River Table

Tabletops layout

Test Assembly Success

The prototype testing assembly technique proves I can move forward with this design

Glassblowing is HOT

The Glory Hole blasts 2300*F as glass is reheated for more sculpting

Sculpting Grasses

Each grass cluster is built from glass bits sculpted into individual blades

Leg Hardware Assembly

Threaded pipe is hidden inside each table leg

Early Scale Layout

Layouts on paper "tabletops" help me plan positions and the things I still need to make

Glass Puddles

Each hand-cut glass "puddle" will support a botanical vignette to grace the tabletops

Cattail Vignette Assembly

Botanical vignettes are supported while parts are glued to base "puddles"

Tabletop from Below

Planning the position of tabletop vignettes for leg assembly, viewed from below.

First Table Section assembled

Getting the first section together provided confidence for completing River Table

Adding a hot bit to turtle sculpture

Assistants bring Frus a molten bit of glass to attach as the turtle sculpture takes shape

Sculpting a turtle

This torch spot heats a leg so Frus can add focused detail

Marsh Lavendar and Bass

Complex components begin to be finished

6 Sectionals Assembled

As sectionals are completed, work continues on creatures and final 4 sections

Redfish Assembly

Attaching fish to support leaves involves careful gluing and stable curing for strength

Building tables in studio

Reed Grass vignette construction

Brackish & Salt Botanicals layout

Placing reed grasses and other botanicals to finalize design of River Table's salty end

Planning position of final leaf for Gar Vignette

Finishing Creature Bases

Bases coated in sand get glossy clear coat so they appear "wet"

Finished in Studio

Finally, River Table is ready to pack and ship to the Museum for exhibit

Show More

BRIAN FRUS

glass artist

B F

Glassblowing studio