Martha Barnes

Enamel Art Page

(Updated May 24, 2006)

Family (Enamel on Steel)

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During a week long enameling workshop held in Erfurt , Germany, lead by Edmund Massow I worked on the above picture . It was a fascinating and rewarding experience. The Erfurt Art Workshop, supported by the city of Erfurt and other cultural funds, provides these facilities to encourage and inspire artists to realize some of their interests and projects. The facility has been open since 1991 and offers an environment conducive to group and individual work, especially in enameling and goldsmithing. Of course, the wonderful people you meet in such an environment make for a special positive experience.

In theory, the original intent of the course was to use press forming techniques for copper and silver jewelry pieces. I did do that and made some 'cute' cat earrings from 0.5 mm copper. (Maybe I'll tell more about that in my next update.) However the temptation of the large firing ovens provided by the workshop, proved to be too much for me. Here a 76 cm. X 92 cm. piece can be easily fired.

I couldn't resist trying. To add to the appeal, there was a large selection of ?scrap? available for practice work. Someone had very successfully salvaged various outside parts from discarded old white enameled gas ovens- a veritable treasure trove. The picture displayed above is one made from this treasure chest. It started as a 20 by 29 inch pre-enameled white on steel side panel from an old gas oven. I drew and cut out four large positive patterns for the horses. I applied one pattern, one color at a time, spraying the metal oxide color (not enamel) mixed in water (about the consistency of thick cream) using a simple air compressor and spray bottle. The sprayed area had to dry thoroughly and then it was easy to work the outlines better and remove any unwanted color. I fired (4 minutes at 840 degrees Centigrade) after each color*. The textures were added via sponge and paper towel and brush. Most of the oxide based colors stood up well to multiple firings. However red, always somewhat sensitive, only lasted for one 3 minute firing. Longer or repeated firing turned the red to orange or made it disappear.

* With experience and if you make sure the patterns are firmly fixed on the plate so as not to be blown away by the compressed air and paint, you can spray and work with several before firing. Having learned the hard way once, I went step at a time.

For me, the opportunity to fire "real size" pictures was a plus and quite an adventure. Hopefully I will be able to experience this again. Once again, a wonderful week--learning a lot and realizing how much more there is to learn in the fascinating field of enamel work. Hope this inspires some one reading this to try it for themselves.

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Email: M.Barnes@aon.at

We plan to update this web site regularly with new enamel artwork. Come back to see us. For more enamel artwork, please see my archive page for works posted at this site earlier.

The purpose of this enamel art page is to make the acquaintance of other persons involved with and interested in enamel art also just to share the fun of enameling. Therefore if you are 'into' enamel art send me an email at the address above or register in the guest book.  For information about my background in enamel art and my new workshop, please see my personal page

Related Sites:

Glass on Metal , The Enamelist Society: http://www.craftweb.com/org/enamel/enamel.htm

Pamela Barrett: http://www.collectoronline.com/AHS/AHS-enamel.html

Gabriella Gabrini: http://web.tin.it/gabrini/frame-e.htm

Pat Johnson: http://www.sculptimage.com/PatJohnson/thumbs.html

Yvonne Pluess : http://www.enamelartyvonne.ch/contact.html

Mimi Walsh : http://www.enamelsbymimi.com/presentation.html