With deep blues and greens, flowing curves and light-filled reflections, artist Lori Schinelli’s abstract glass sculptures evoke the ocean and its surging waves. See more of her work by visiting her website.
“Fantasy Shell” Glass Sculpture, 6” x 5” x 4.5”
When I was a child, my family shared a summer home with a family of close friends. For the first eighteen years of my life, we lived together from the day school let out until it started again in the fall.
“Effervescence” Glass Sculpture, 15.5” x 15.5” x 5.25”
Two sets of parents and six kids were one family in our beach bungalow on the north shore of Long Island. Each and every nice day was spent in or near the water—skipping rocks, building castles, splashing and digging.
As a teenager, I (naturally) worked as a lifeguard.
“Splash” Glass Sculpture, 14.5” x 13” x 5”
After earning my bachelor’s degree, I married and enjoyed bringing my little boys to the beach, passing on the love of sun, sand and water to them. 1993 brought our family to Atlanta, and we faced a new challenge: there was no ocean for six hours in any direction! The boys adapted, as children do, but I struggled – longing for my seaside home.
“Ocean Flower” Glass Sculpture, 10. 25” x 8” x 4.5”
When I worked with glass for the first time, my spirits lifted. I noticed that it seemed to reflect and refract light in a way reminiscent of the sun bouncing off the surface of the waves. Just as one listens to the crashing of the waves in a conch shell, I found that working with these forms and colors in my studio gave me a feeling of calm and peace. Sea shells and beach glass were the treasures of my childhood, and so I made it my goal to capture the spirit and essence of them in my work.
Artist Lori Schinelli creating the patterns of glass in her kiln.
In the creation of my art, I cut or break colored sheets of glass into small pieces and arrange them in the kiln, melting my patterns using 1500° heat. Those patterns are then stretched, using inclined surfaces in the kiln and letting gravity and heat work together to create an organic flow and mix of colors. These mixtures are combined with others until I feel the piece has attained, in my vision, the aura of the sea.
Artist Lori Schinelli sandlblasting her glass sculpture.
Sandblasting is the next step—eroding the piece, creating holes and caverns just as the oceans have carved the earth.
“Reef 1” Glass Sculpture Wall Hanging, 14” x 13” x 2.5”
Now, as the piece is placed over a custom-made form, the kiln is heated to a lower temperature. This allows the glass to relax and take the shape of the refractory materials beneath it. Sometimes, at this stage, I will add small pieces and grains of glass, increasing the surface texture.
“Clear Spring” Glass Sculpture, 15” x 13.25” x 7.5”
Lastly, the work is sandblasted and sealed to give it the smooth feel that is reminiscent of beach glass.
“Blossom” Glass Sculpture, 7.5” x 6.5” x 7”
Proximity to the ocean still holds the power to calm my heart as I continue that connection to the ocean I loved as a child.
“Weedline” Glass Sculpture, 16” x 15.5” x 7.5”
My dream is that future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy that special feeling as I have. I create my art in the hope that it will inspire others to protect our beautiful oceans so that we may pass on that little piece of paradise.
Artist Lori Schinelli invites you to follow her on Facebook.
Lori,
Your glass art is just beautiful, and the soft colors especially remind me of the North Shore. I spent many a summer day there as well (in Cutchogue) and I can see that you have captured the magic of the area in your work.
Thank you so much, Roberta. How wonderful that you had a similar experience. It was a special time and place
Lori!! Stunning!!!
Thank you, Nannette
Oh Lori, these are just exquisite !
Thank you, Judy!
Each piece surely captures the beauty of the beach, water and the flow of the waves.
I LOVE “Blossom”!
Thank you, Licha! It was one of my favorites,also!