A Day at the Beach

kilnformed glass

Triptych

each panel 9 inches tall by 20 inches wide.
Overall width 63 inches

Steve Immerman Day at the Beach Kiln Formed Glass Day at the Beach was created while Immerman was grieving the loss of a close friend. Taking time from his glass studio and surgical schedule, (the esteemed artist is a surgeon by day), Immerman retreated to the solace of the beach. Under the veil of grief, colors became more vibrant, life somehow became even more precious. Captivated by the people, Immerman began photographing the scene before him: the colorful umbrellas and bathing suits, the ocean and the sky, the surrounding vegetation.

Inspired by nature and his natural surroundings, Immerman reduced the complex forms into lines and grids. Constructed with awareness led by intuition, Day at the Beach is a celebration of life, infused with joy and wonder. The piece is at once uplifting in its color and composition yet builds an intimate dialog between the work and the viewer due to its size, hanging only 9 inches tall. Day at the Beach is the result of many months work. Day at the Beach is a triptych with each panel measuring 9 inches tall by 20 inches wide. Overall width 63 inches $2400.

About his process...

Working in glass, Steve Immerman implements uncommon variations in surfaces and textures, which although allowed by the medium, remain unexpected. In viewing his work, one encounters an element of surprise that it is glass. Yet, once that realization is met, it seems only natural that it is glass and that no other medium would allow him to achieve what he has. Immerman explores the transformation of glass from its perceived state of translucence and gloss into an explosion of color with a less glass-like appearance. He uses colors, patterns, and textures to create glass artwork that invokes memories and images of beautiful places, things, and ideas.

Immerman received a Bachelor of Science in Medicine from Northwestern University, Chicago Illinois. He is currently a senior partner in a surgical practice in the Midwest. With much of his practice centering on Oncology, Immerman began to study and work in glass in 1993 as a way to separate himself from his work. Although deeply committed to his medical practice, Immerman has begun to attract attention in the glass world for his unique approach to glass. He has found his artistic voice in this wonderful medium.

The process: Immerman pre-cuts glass into an array of shapes and sizes. As you can see, they are all quite small. Generally, he begins with a small square or rectangle form, working the design out around it. Once satisfied with the design, the entire piece is fired and annealed in a kin. The piece may return to the kiln several times until the aesthetics have been met. Once satisfied, the cooled glass is then sandblasted.

This is done by placing it into an incubator-like structure. High-pressure sand is blasted onto the piece. This creates little pits in the surface of the glass, giving the glass opacity. Then comes the hard work. Immerman proceeds to hand sand the glass in a wet and tedious process. He begins with a low grit (50) and progressing to a fine grit (600) grain. Generally, the central area or the "image area" is sanded to a low sheen, whereby the perimeter is a bit rougher. The contrast in surfaces directs your eye into the work. Sometimes Immerman will carve areas of the sculpture to create relief.