The extensive views outside Sandra Wank's studio stretch over hills of green framed by a narrow band of ocean. The North Shore Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop. This scenery as well as the organic forms in her garden stay with Wank when she enters her studio to melt glass into stunning beads that are made into necklaces and other jewelry pieces..
This month, Wank has been invited to showcase her art at the Ferry Building Gallery as part of the Great Stuff event that runs from November 18 to December 17. Wank said, "There are 30 to 35 artists involved. It is a juried show and I received a phone call about it four weeks ago."
Wank had no time to be idle during the last month. She said, "I had such a short time to get ready. But I feel that this is the next logical step for me. I've sold my work on Bowen Island at the arts co-op and at the Christmas craft fair and I did really well there."
She makes beads of various sizes. Some of them are covered with dots, others resemble miniature paintings. Wank says, "I've started with beads with more geometrical designs. Now they tend to be more organic. I love gardening and being outside."
In her studio, Wank has her back to the door when she sits down at the torch. She switches it on and reaches for one of the over a hundred coloured glass rods on her worktable. She explains, "I'm starting with clay on a steel mandrel." Wank holds the mandrel in her left and the glass rod with her right hand. The molten glass changes from red to orange, then to yellow-hot. While she slowly rotates the mandrel to add the glass, she has to gauge the temperature so that the glass reaches the right consistency. Otherwise it will flow out of control and drip. If it gets to hot, Wank moves the bead out of reach to let it cool. Then she returns it to the flame for yet another layer.
She says, "When I am creating a scene, I use different colours for layers. I have to build the bead like a cylinder and press it out. That completely changes how it looks." Wank demonstrates this. She heats the glass, then she shapes it with a press, once the glass cools down, she has to repeat the process. When she is building layers, she might add enamels to create watercolour effects, fine silver, gold leaf or copper foil.
When a basic bead is completed, Wank sometimes adds raised ornaments. She says, "I use thin, thin rods of glass and paint flowers and leaves on the outside."
It is a lengthy process. "I work for one to one and a half hours on some beads, layer by layer by layer," Wank says. "Maybe 10 to 15 per cent of them crack and then I have to start all over." When finished, the beads are amazing, every one of them a unique work of art.
Great Stuff 2011 is also a Christmas art and gift sale. The opening reception will be held on November 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with extended hours on Fridays until 8 p.m. for late shopping.
