Jean’s Gallery of Enamel

Enamel really is the most versatile of media, and this collection covers just some of the things that can be done with enamel. Some of these ’for instances’ are:

Cloisonné

The compartments, or cloisons, are outlined with flat silver wire. They are first secured in a base coat of enamel. Then the cloisons are wet packed with their respective colors and dried. This is then fired at about 1350°F, cooled, filled with more enamel, and fired again. This is repeated until the collisions are all filled. It is then stoned even and given a final fire polish.

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Three pieces using the same design concept to creats a set of pendants. Negative space is used to give each color its own voice.

Two multi-media pendants using cloisonné to extend the design of semi-precious stones.

Abstracted tree. Note the use of the cloisonné wire to include the artist’s signature in the design.

Sgrafitto

Hand raised freeform copper bowl. Sgrafitto to reveal copper and under-enameling. Approx 10" x 12" x 7".

Limoges

Here the enamels are suspended in an acrylic medium and painted onto the background, which was prepared by sifting the enamels . The design is carried onto the matting, creating a subtle visual expansion in a multimedia piece.

Stencil & Crackle Enamel

A look of age is added to the painted heart and accenting shapes stenciled over a background of Crackle Enamel. 6" copper plate.

A 6" plate with copper leaves and painted enamel line work over a blue crackle background.

Freehand Painting

Title: Australian Impressions #2.
This 6" copper plate is a collage of impressions of Australia. The elements, which include the use of gold and silver foils, are given added depth by a clear enamel overglazing.

Title: Oceana.
Enamel on Copper and Steel. An example of the flexibility of enamel to express what I see.

Title: Acrylic Abstract #1.
Enamel Acrylics are prepared and dried, assembled and fired in place on the background, producing the raised, curled effect.

Plique à jur

The design was cut out of sheet silver, leaving the lines. Transparent enamel was fired into these compartments producing a miniature stained-glass window.

Here the metal was made from PMC silver, which produces a whole different feel for the piece.

Earth’s Aura Series

"Aurora Borealis: Irregular, luminous phenomena, as streamers, visible at night in a zone surrounding the north magnetic pole and produced in the ionosphere when atomic particles strike and excite atoms; northern lights." - Webster.

Jean’s enchantment with the visual possiblities of the Aurora is presented in her "Earth’s Aura" series—enamels taken from acutal Aurora Borealis displays. Here the depth of color in enamel is ideal for presenting the mystery of this outstanding natural phenomenon.

Titles: Earth’s Aura #8 & Earth’s Aura #9.
In Earth’s Aura #8, a sifted background is enhances trees of oxidized copper and in Earth’s Aura #9, they are painted with acrylic enamels.

Contents © 2004-2007 by Jean Vormelker, Orange, California • All Rights Reserved, worldwide

Design © 2004-2007 by William Blinn Communications, Worthington, Ohio • All Rights Reserved, worldwide