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Glass Paintings by Malem professional artist

The Love Story
A fellow artisan friend introduced me to the glass paint one day, briefly, and right away a new love story began! I was hooked instantly, came home with a tiny jar of powder, 2 or 3 small glass sheets for experimenting... and I never stopped since! The glass painting simply conquered my heart because it allies all my passions: gesture, drawing, painting, glass and transforming glass. I just love experimenting with options and the transparency, translucency of glass, creating truly beautiful effects. Whether a black horse on a transparent background dancing in the window as a kindred spirit watching over you, a translucent fused glass sheet making a horse stand out or a mix of colours, textures, imagination and horses, mounted on a wall or hung in a window, each is unique and is magical because of the beauty of glass and its amazing qualities.

The Technique
Glass in the Kiln ready to be firedThe technique I use is called grisaille. It was during the Middle Ages that this process and stained glass developed as a major art. The church paintings endured until today and artists would paint on the coloured glass to add details. Since I usually follow my own journey, I apply the paint differently than the traditional way, resulting in my paintings having their uniqueness and my very own style. I also differ in my subject choices, painting almost exclusively horses (sometimes other animals when I am asked to nicely, aiming to please). Besides that the basic process is rigorously respected. The paint comes as a powder and must be mixed prior to painting including a few more ingredients like binders and medium (OK here to I made a few adaptations of my own in order to get the results I like). Until fired in a high temperature kiln the paint remains extremely fragile so I must be very cautious not to touch it in any way. Because of the transparency of the glass, I paint on a light table, adding a bit more challenges (I love challenges). Once completely dried and when I am satisfied with the result, the glass must be fired in the kiln. Temperature is controlled digitally and complex programs varying according to the desired end result will bring the glass very slowly to a high temperature (as an example 1250F and more), soak it for a required amount of time so the paint fuses with the glass and then very slowly starts the cooling process and annealing to ensure the stability of the glass. Programs are complex and critical as the glass can crack and a lot of variables can ruin the piece very easily. The process I choose prioritize safety and takes over 24 for each firing. Some pieces are fired multiple times. If I wish to have a textured piece of glass to paint on, a different kiln program is used and a unique texture is made prior to control the way the glass will end up. This is the first firing, then comes a second one for the paint, and sometimes more for painting or other objectives. Each work as it's very own processes. It may sound complex as well as risky, but it is part of the glass transformation I enjoy and sometimes surprises arise as glass thought me over the years that it definitely has a mind of its own! Before all the fun begins, each piece of recycled glass used is cautiously inspected, cleaned, sometimes cut, holes are drilled for hanging and depending on its condition it is then kiln formed to get rid of scratches and imperfections, or partially polished and cleaned again for painting.

A Second Life
Malem collecting used glass before it goes to the trashLoving the earth and nature, I try to help the environment and paint on used glass. I gather used windows, door panels, sheets that are unwanted or no more needed as they are not easily recycled or even refused in our recycling facilities. It is therefore possible some sheets have what people call imperfections, I see it as life experience, and if acceptable I will make sure edges are soft and polish them if needed, and paint according to the sheet's scars giving a special addition to the artwork. If it is too damaged, I will fuse it in the kiln in various ways and each sheet comes out with its unique texture depending on how I prepare the kiln and glass.

The Value, the Heritage
These paintings will last more than a lifetime (we have proof with the church stained glass paintings in Europe). They are a true family heritage, a legacy to pass on for generations and generations.

The Goal
My goal is to contribute to make the world a more beautiful and pleasant place one horse at the time! I want to share the beauty, force, sensitivity of horses in my paintings, capture their uniqueness, motion, life! I want to help you feel better at home, and enhance any room with the beauty and spirit of the horse!
Aiming to please I may create commissioned paintings to immortalize a beloved equine partner.

The Quality Control
Malem consulting with her horses about a paintingEach painting is submitted to my committee of muses, thoroughly inspected and horse approved or send back for improvement. Just kidding! just wanted to share a large part of where my inspiration comes from! added to the countless hours devoted to anatomical, biomechanics, haute école studies, sketches, spent behind cameras and ... well let's not go there... lol! for now... This will take to long.

ANS - glass painting on recycled clear glass, inspired by the friesian stallion Lord Ans enhancing a new home!

 

A Word of Gratitude
My predilection of big paintings led me to, of course, need a bigger kiln to fire them up. I am very proud and grateful to have received a grant from SODEC for the purchase of this giant custom-made kiln. Thank you SODEC for making big paintings (up to 34" x 58" or even a little more) possible!
Logo SODEC

A Beacon in the Storm Glass Painting by artist MalemA BEACON IN THE STORM - un ancrage dans la tempête
2020 covid-19 crisis Glass Painting

This painting is very special to me. It began by a new experimenting I was postponing because it was out of my comfort zone, but the urge to paint and rejuvenate myself or a moment tying to keep my head above the water during this stressful period got the best of me. I started playing with the colours, the textures for a lovely background and then he came to me. As I was discovering and painting him, I started needing him, he became my beacon in this storm we are going through, I needed to finish him so he could be born and I could have him by my side in the workshop. Here he is now, such a strong and gentle spirit, he became my beacon, my hope as he represents what keeps me going : my own horses.

Strong, yet gentle and sweet, never giving up, enduring, they live in the moment, they go on and I follow. That is why I called this painting a Beacon in the Storm - "un ancrage dans la tempête" ("Ancrage" meaning anchorage, a somewhat different meaning, so the title is bilingual this time, reflecting my state of mind). I have yet to choose how I will hang him on my wall, but he will remain in my workshop, watching over me, reminding me of the strength of my beloved horses when I work.


If you are interested in having your own Beacon in the Storm, I will be happy to print a high quality reproduction for you. I print them myself, I make sure it passes my quality standards and I ship it to you. All very safe! ORDER HERE

 

THE RESULTS:
Contact me if you are interested in one available original as the shipping prices vary depending on your location.
Visit mon online store to see the canvas and art prints of these I create and approve myself.

Ans Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Ans

Glass Painting - clear recycled glass
Inspired by Lord Ans Friesian Stallion
24" x 36"
SOLD •  artprints available
Lord Ans Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Lord Ans

Glass Painting - fused recycled glass
Inspired by Lord Ans Friesian Stallion
12 " x 15"
AVAILABLE •  artprints available
Ans Perle Noire Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Ans Perle Noire (Black Pearl)

Glass Painting - clear recycled glass
Inspired by Lord Ans Friesian Stallion
16" x 20"
SOLD •  artprints available
The Soldier Recycled Glass Painting by malem

The Soldier

Glass painting - clear recycled glass
16" x 22"
AVAILABLE • artprints available

Yoda Showman Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Yoda Shoman

Glass painting - clear recycled glass
16" x 22"
AVAILABLE • artprints available

Lady Friesia Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Lady Friesia

Glass painting - clear recycled glass
16" x 22"
PERSONNAL COLLECTION • artprints available

Free Jumper Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Free jumper
Glass painting - clear recycled glass
16" x 22"
AVAILABLE • artprints available

Lady at the Keurig Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Lady at the Keurig

Glass painting - clear recycled glass
16" x 22"
PERSONNAL COLLECTION • artprints available

Qorry Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Qorry

Glass painting - clear recycled glass
16" x 19"
TEMPORARELY UNAVAILABLE • artprints available


Beyond the King's Branch Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Beyond the King's Branch
Glass painting - fused recycled glass
12" x 14"
AVAILABLE

My King Playing Recycled Glass Painting by malem

My King Playing

Glass painting - fused recycled glass
12" x 14"
PERSONNAL COLLECTION

Iberian II Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Iberian

Glass painting - fused recycled glass
12" x 14"
AVAILABLE

Standing in the Wind Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Standing in the Wind

Glass painting - fused recycled glass
12" x 14"
AVAILABLE

Iberian Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Iberian

Glass painting - fused recycled glass
12" x 14"
AVAILABLE

Qorry Free Jump Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Qorry Free Jump
Glass painting - clear recycled glass
16" x 22"
AVAILABLE •  artprints available

Gotham Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Gotham
Glass painting - clear recycled glass
8" x 10"
SOLD •  artprints available

Lusi King Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Lusi King

Glass painting - fused recycled glass
8" x 10"
SOLD

Windy Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Windy

Glass painting - clear recycled glass
7" x 8 3/4"
AVAILABLE •  artprints available

Boubou Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Boubou

Glass painting - clear fire polished recycled glass
8" x 10"
SOLD

Mare and Foal Recycled Glass Painting by malem

Mare and Foal

Glass painting - fused recycled glass
8" x 10"
SOLD •  artprints available

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© 2021 Malem.