SEDUCTION – IN A GLASS BY ITSELF

“Come upstairs and see my etchings,” has been a popular pick-up line for men wooing ladies for decades, but have you ever thought what exactly were etchings?

For centuries, men have been fascinated by the beauty and elegance of glass which was used then and now in its different forms and applications. The search was on – trying to find more ways to decorate and manipulate glass, using both hot and cold processes.

The term ETCHING originally refers to the reaction of hydrofluoric acid on glass or metal substrate as it abrades or erodes the surface. This approach of decorating the glass was slow to develop until the creation of sand blasters almost one hundred years ago. Today we can literally choose from several techniques available to cut, etch, carve and decorate the glass. Yet the term ETCHING, through common usage, when applied to decoration of glass surface, has come to mean the effect of any process that erodes the glass surface, to produce a frosted appearance. ETCHING, then, is a label that is technically inaccurate but nonetheless pervasive.

SURFACE ETCHING is the type where elements of design are separated by clear outlines and blasting is done one time with the same depth throughout. This can be coloured or left as is, depending on the chosen design or usage.

CARVING, on the other hand, is a multi-stage technique where elements of design are made distinct from each other by the varying depths and extent of blasting done on any element that touches other elements.

CARVING can be done the POSITIVE way which simply means carving the front side of the glass, or the NEGATIVE BAS-RELIEF which means carving is done on the rear side of glass, although it is viewed from the front. Positive carving can be coloured as well as the Negative bas-relief, yet the latter is also more outstanding without colour, but back-lit against a darker background.

SHADING, like the CARVING technique, is also very complex and intense as this is also done in multi-stage. This affects only the surface of the glass and is therefore applicable even to the most delicate crystal classes and tempered ones. Unlike SURFACE ETCHING and CARVING, SHADING cannot be coloured as the shallowness of etching cannot hold the glass paint in a clean manner although it can adhere to the surface well.

Yet SHADING can produce the most delicate and elegant results as different degrees of shading resembles perfectly the airbrush strokes as elements of designs are made distinct from each other through different shades of grey.

Rarely will you find art that awakes the senses and ensnares your imagination. For unlike canvas, papers and other traditional mediums, art on glass is just spectacular; and any keen and experienced glass artist will agree on this. So when hear the phrase ART ON GLASS it signifies the quality of work they offer and produce for you.

One does not have to be an expert in the field of art to be able to appreciate the beauty that an etched, carved, or shaded glass can do to transform any area of your choosing. The solid, colourless or coloured, yet transparent characteristics of glass make it a very unique medium. Subjects and elements of design, simply glitter and come alive when struck or penetrated by natural or artificial light.

At times the elements of design would even look as though they are floating in mid-air, and therefore the word “magical” is the most appropriate expression to describe it But more startling is the fact that this art can find a place in your homes, offices – any location that requires more than a decor piece but a “work of art”!

In Barbados the professionals, designers and artisans of AA Framing & Decoration are available to do just that. With their custom design process, the possibilities are endless. Designs are created especially for you and your setting. Imagine when a workplace’s location is identified by an etched glass from AA Framing proudly displayed for all to see? It’s a cultural landmark!

CORPORATE DECOR

Whether it’s your windows, doors, privacy screens, room partitions, window walls, commemorative walls, or for interior designs including tabletops, folding room dividers, stairway railings, restaurant booth dividers, mirrors for your ladies’ room or restrooms; it can say so much about your establishment, lighting fixtures and light diffusers, shower and bath enclosures, interior and glass partitions and walls in airports, professional buildings, homes, yachts and even cruise liners.

HOW IS IT DONE?

Erlyn Encina Dador is an amazing artist whose experiences vary from being a comics illustrator, a painter, and an architectural designer. Added to these is her ability to bring her designs alive by etching or carving them on to glass. Mrs. Dador hails from the Philippines where she learned this form of art which she has been exhibiting for the past nineteen years.

As an artist she does her work with passion, discipline and total dedication. Her inner drive is always to complete her work to the highest standard possible, regardless of the simplicity or intricacy of design involved. Her principle is one that she will not wait until others criticise her work before she improves it. For she believes that although no one is perfect, one can always strive to do the best he/she can. And on glass is no exception.

Erlyn spent time in in Paris, France where she had the chance of exhibiting some of her art as well. Her various experiences, along with her architectural background, have made her competent to meet with homeowners, architects and designers to discuss the most appropriate composition of artwork which is to be used on glass for any chosen area of application.