Wood/Glass Fusion Designs

Roger G. Rank, from Little Rock, became a new member of the Arkansas Craft Guild with his Mixed Media decorative art using the intarsia technique, which combines varied shapes, sizes, and species of wood fitted together to create an illusion of depth, using the colors and patterns inherent in the wood grain.

Glass Monarch and Yellow Swallowtail butterflies on rose  (intarsia composed of cherry, South American mahogany, poplar, and walnut)

"I find the technique of intarsia to be most fascinating, particularly the use of various woods “sculpted” to make a picture. I have always used natural woods, rarely using stains to modify the colors. Because the different types of woods tend to be various shades or intensities of tan, yellow, brown, red-brown, or green, I imagined that one could add a focal point of color to the intarsia, such that the wood would serve as a backdrop concentrating the eye on that focal point. Using a fused glass object could very easily serve as that focal point. As I have always had an interest in nature, I had found many intarsia projects online of birds. It was just a short leap of imagination to “sculpt” the bird in glass and attach that to the wood intarsia background. I also thought it would be of interest to add butterflies to the work, as butterflies are very colorful and could be well-represented in glass. However, butterflies such a Monarch or Yellow Swallowtail have very intricate designs with multiple colors."

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Glass bluejay perched on stump with flowers (intarsia composed of poplar, cherry, purpleheart, and sipo mahogany)

Using my scroll saw technique, I was able to make mylar templates for the necessary patterns on glass using powdered frit. A different template is used for each color with firing after each application, very much akin to silk screen. For example, a Yellow Swallowtail will have six individual firings. The same technique was used for birds with more elaborate color schemes such as blue jays. I have searched online to determine if anyone else in combining wood and glass and have found that my work is indeed unique."

"My long-term interest has always been in biology. I was trained as a research scientist in microbiology and immunology, having served on the faculty at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences for 39 years before retiring in 2015. I have never had a formal art course (other than a short beginner course in glass-fusing) but have always found different forms of art of interest, thinking that the creation of such works was beyond me, as indeed most are."

Inspired by over 30 years watching “This Old House” and Norm Abrams’ “New Yankee Workshop,” Roger started working in wood on the basics like bookshelves, but gradually progressed to more difficult projects. Using trial and error, he gradually developed skills for making high quality products. "I have learned that if I need to acquire a technique, there are always books, magazine articles, or online resources from which I can learn. I am entirely self-taught.”

Glass South American mahogany butterflies on natural lichen-covered branch

"Woodworking held an appeal for me because of the instant gratification that one has constructing something. I enjoy the tactile feel of wood and the various construction techniques which make a final work appear as a whole. This was in contrast to my research profession when I often had to wait weeks to months and sometimes years to get a result of my experiments. However, the feeling is the same in art as it is in research, taking an idea and creating something new which no one has seen or known before. Moreover, with woodworking, there is usually an immediate functional outcome. "

"Through the course of my career and raising two boys with weekly soccer games, there was little time for a hobby, but I did persist in building some projects, although they would take a long time to finish because of my obligations. In retirement and with both sons on their own with families, I have more time to devote to my hobbies and develop my skills. The development of my wood/glass fusion art has really been strictly for my own personal gratification at creating a work of art using my own hands and to illustrate the beauty of nature. I simply create objects which I find personally appealing."

“About 3 years ago my wife Sigrun, who is a jewelry instructor at the Arkansas Arts Center, encouraged me to take a course. (now the Wingate Art School at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Art) I enrolled in a beginner course in glass fusing. I found that I really enjoyed using glass to make designs similar to what I have done with wood intarsia. After the course, I was so enthusiastic that I purchased all of the equipment necessary to set up a glass fusing workshop."

You know your hobbies have gone beyond just a passing fancy, when over time, your new tools and machines added to your workshop/garage crowd out your cars.

Roger G. Rank

Roger's work is now available for purchase in the Arkansas Craft Guild's Gallery, 104 E Main, Mountain View, open Tuesday through Saturday 10-5. Follow on Facebook for photos and any new additions to selections in the future.

Visit Roger Rank's artist roster page here on this website for more photos of his unique Wood/Glass Fusion Designs!