The Art of Glass - Kent Ipsen

KENT F. IPSEN Orant Cast lead crystal, 1990, 25" x 28" x 12"	KENT F. IPSEN The Bather Cast lead crystal, 1995, 65" x 10" x 10"

KENT F. IPSEN,
Glass Program Director,
Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Arts, Richmond

My work starts with an idea, a model and many charcoal sketches, usually very large. The sketches become the basis for clay modeling the size of the finished crystal pieces. A rubber/fiberglass mold is made of the clay model. The mold is removed; clay is recycled. Hot wax is poured into rubber mod, cooled, removed and invested in dental plaster and concrete. Wax is removed with steam. A new mold is placed in an electric kiln, filled with crushed glass, fired and slowly cooled. Great fun when they make it!