About the Glass Artist
Peter Cummings

A short history of my glass engraving and artistry experience:

• 1985- 95 Began to explore glass engraving
• 1995 Commenced glass engraving full time
• 1999 First explorations in Cameo(cased colour) engraving
• 2000 March Renwick Alliance (USA) Tour
   - Visit to Morrell Studio Gallery
   - April Decorated and Carved Glass Exhibition - Kirra, Melbourne  
   - July Finalist,R.F.C. Glass Prize 2000
• 2002-3 New equipment, and research making my own pieces.
• 2004 Launch of “Applied Cameo carving” style mixing fusing and engraving

Most of my skills are self taught from a wide range of books, the internet, and other professionals. Major influences are the people I have worked with and country surrounds. Inspirations are Biemann, Woodall, and Galle.

Applied Cameo carving is combined style of fusing and engraving, a continuation of the "Marqueterie de Verre" by Emile Galle and the English pad Cameo

• Using fusing compatible glass, background then other layers and shapes are cut out and defined before kiln fusing, flat.
• With diamond burrs in a flex shaft drill I carve layers away allowing the underlying tones to show through for shading and sharp detail.
• Final slumping over a mould creates a more interesting shape and a fire polish to the carved surface.

I am fascinated by a life force within this material, demonstrated by different viewing angles and positions in relation to a light source. Adding body and facial expression evokes narrative and social questions for the viewer.