Natural Artistic Talent Combined with Deep Practice

Expertise in Art: Refined Talent Combined with Deep Practice Laurie Hartman English Composition I: Achieving Expertise Project 2: Analyzing a Visual Image Fused glass is a medium with which beautiful, bright, and colorful art can be produced. I personally enjoy both the artistic and creative aspects of fused glass as well as the scientific elements of this art form. Technical fundamentals including temperature, glass components and chemical reactions can be used to create interesting effects with the glass. Temperature can be used to create a variety of textures in the glass. Metals are incorporated into glass which results in the development of the color. The different metals can also cause chemical reactions that result in deposits of new substances in the melted glass.

A whimsical fused glass project is depicted in the photograph attached. Judy Clark Macauley, of Omega Glass, is the artist of these 12 fused glass coasters that each measure 3½“x3½“ square.

In the photograph, the coasters are lined up in 4 lines of 3. Each coaster has a quirky dog design which would be appropriate for any dog lover. They are each unique in facial expression and colors. The main colors used in these adorable creations are blue, turquoise, orange, green, yellow, black, and white. The way the artist positioned the ears and eyes on the faces gives each of the dogs their own personality. I can see a buyer looking at each coaster and choosing the ones that ‘speaks to them’.

The technical elements that were used in the coasters, included temperature, and metal combinations in the glass resulting in chemical reactions. The glass was fired in a kiln to a

maximum temperature of approximately 1500°F. This high temperature results in a “full fuse” which leaves the surface of the piece completely smooth with no texture. The metals in the glass also cause interesting reactions. The turquoise glass contains copper and the orange and yellow glasses contain sulfur and selenium. The copper reacts with the sulfur and selenium and a thin brown line develops at the intersection of the two colors where they melt together.

Use of these elements in a successful manner is indicative of the expertise of the artist. I especially like the use of the reactive glasses for the eyes and the ring that results around the eye.

The artist knew to expect the reaction and used it to her advantage. Cutting glass, developing designs, using appropriate colors, and the whimsy of the pieces also show the expertise of the artist. Use of these features shows that Macauley has a fair amount of experience in glass fusing.

She has probably been working in this art medium for a sufficient amount of time using “deliberate practice” (Colvin, p. 2) to develop the knowledge and skills needed to produce the pieces that she has. The photo shows 12 dog coasters. I doubt that these are the only dogs she has made. How many times has she sat down in her studio and started cutting glass to put together another dog? Colvin said it best, “there’s no evidence of high-level performance without experience or practice.” (p. 1).

I consider Macauley to be an expert in fused glass. She has spent adequate time doing fused glass and has become familiar with all aspects. This theory is consistent with both Coyle’s and Colvin’s ideas on becoming an expert through “deep practice” (Coyle, p. 16) or “deliberate practice” (Clovin, p. 2). However, I believe Macauley also has some natural artistic ability. Her creativity, use of color, and designs are products of an innate ability that she was born with. In that respect I disagree with Colvin and Coyle. She has a natural talent that cannot be learned

Macauley has created art that can be enjoyed by many. Dog lovers especially would appreciate these pieces. She has a natural artistic talent that has allowed her to produce such beautiful works of art. However, to be an expert she has also put a lot of time, effort, and repetition into cutting glass, understanding how temperature effects glass texture, selecting colors, and utilizing chemical reactions to augment the designs.

Combining natural artistic talent with hard work and practice is an excellent recipe for success to achieve expertise.

REFERENCES Colvin, Geoffrey. “What it takes to be great.” Fortune Magazine. October 19, 2006. 1-4.

Coyle, Daniel. "The Sweet Spot." The Talent Code. Greatness Isn’t Born. It’s Grown. Here’s How. New York: Bantam, 2009. 11-29.