Judy Stone, Enamelist
Judy Stone is one of a small group of people worldwide who call themselves enamelists. Enameling, the centuries-old process of fusing glass to metal with high heat, is a very difficult medium to control. It requires that the enamelist understand the intricate dance of metal, glass and heat. It demands an understanding of color used three-dimensionally.
Judy Stone, whether she’s creating sculptural vessels or wall pieces, is an enamel artist in complete control of her medium.
Artist's Statement
Over the years I have developed my own way of working based on medieval enameling techniques, the availability of enameling supplies, and the contemporary work of the late Fred Ball. I work in layers, pushing the enamel particles into place and then firing at ca.1500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Most of my work is fired between 6 and 15 times. I fuse precious metal foils into the final layers. I try to use the interaction of the metal and the enamel through transparency and translucency to achieve three dimensional color.
I work alone in my studio in El Cerrito, CA. My studio is surrounded by a somewhat carefully cultivated garden from which I draw inspiration. The imagery in my work, while mostly abstract, has reference to forms lurking in my subconscious. I do not try to interpret these forms or their interactions with each other.
For the past 25 years I have also worked on large enameled steel wall installations, using industrial enameling techniques and materials to create one-of-a-kind art projects, usually by commission. Because of the durability of the material, these enameled “paintings” are suitable for outdoor installation as well as for architectural elements such as back splashes and shower surrounds.