Description

Poppy Fields Bowl

Poppy Fields Bowl is one of a recent series of landscape bowls that Adam Aaronson has made. Some of these could be described as etudes, or studies. They are almost like colour tests for one of Adam’s larger landscapes, but they are enchanting in their own right.

Inspiration

“There are certain flowers that you might think are grown with the intention of keeping artists busy and happy! Rapeseed for splashes of yellow, bluebells for bands of blue, lavender for hints of purple and poppies for swathes of red, to name but a few”

When asked what makes one of his landscape bowls different from other glass artists who work on landscape themes, Adam replied

“Every artist sees the same landscape or scene differently and we all develop our own styles. As you hone a technique your work develops and you start to get different results. I’ve always felt that I approach my work from a painterly perspective and then work out how to achieve it in glass. So perhaps that is why some people have commented that my work can look more like ceramic than glass”

Technique

Adam begins by choosing a palette of powdered glass colours, so he can use these to reflect a landscape that he finds inspiring.

He applies layers of pure silver leaf, delicately adding the powdered colour, to create a soft luminosity. At this point the silver becomes a canvas, depicting the effects of light reflecting on seascapes or forest scenes. Perhaps a change in the seasons or dramatic skies.

The colours melt into the surface by a process of heating and reheating and this builds up unique tones and texture. In this piece Adam applies the reds  by sprinkling on to the hot glass with a teaspoon and then re-heating to melt the colour and fuse it into the surface.

Title

Adam then gives each piece a title reflecting his own inspiration.

“But often I find the title is just a springboard. It can spark people’s memories of a moment from far flung travel or their own favourite landscape.

“I think everybody sees something different in the finished piece. It depends on whether skies or trees, the countryside or the sea attracts you most”.

Poppy Fields has a subtle luminosity. This can change depending on where you place it. On a windowsill it will change throughout the day with the changes in daylight.