Johnella (Johnny) McGuire
I'll let Johnella tell you about her china painting experience in her own words:
I started taking stained glass lessons in 1984 in Dallas, Texas, where I lived
for 14 years. I desired to make stained glass windows since I was a child,
but for 10 years I was working for an advertising agency traveling all over
the United States east of the Mississippi. Since 1980 I have lived and
worked in Denver, Colorado, Los Angeles, California and Dallas.
The first stained glass shop I worked at in Plano, Texas allowed employees to
attend classes for free. I attended my first glass fusing class and was
totally hooked. I spent a week in Colton, Oregon taking a glass fusing
class from Boyce Lundstrum. Boyce was one of the original owners of Bullseye
glass and the the first glass manufacturer to develop compatible glass for fusing.
My first kiln came from Mr & Mrs of Dallas and there I discovered those
small vials of powdered paints for glass and china! Needless to say, I
bought a bunch! The stained glass shop has a gentleman from Plano bring
in his china and he spent a Saturday in the shop, painting and talking to us
about his art. I was entranced. I inquired about lessons, unfortunately
soon thereafter he passed away and I was unable to locate another teacher until
I found Marci Blattenburger on the web.
I met Marci thought a stained glass bulletin board. She had questions
regarding fusing Dichroic and when I wrote to her I found she was a china painter.
We became fast friends and drove each other crazy exchanging questions of each
others art.
I moved to Ohio in 1994 and took copper enameling classes to learn the techniques.
The enamel powders are glass based and I plan to utilize those methods eventually
on glass. Presently, I am just learning the china painting art.
My eventual plans are to paint on glass. I am fortunate to have the glass
fusing experience and all my new found china painting friends on the web.
Johnny taught advanced Tiffany stained glass classes in Middletown, Ohio in
their winter session. She also teaches beginning fused glass classes.
She teaches privately during the summer months and she does travel to teach.
Earlier this year (2000), Johnny and her husband, Robert, bought a home in Michigan.
If you would like to email Johnella to let her know how you like her paintings, her email address is GlassJAM@aol.com You can click on the hyperlink below to send her email now.
Johnella's Paintings
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Night Skies (Image Size 143 kb) A new one - Hot out of the kiln! (on March
31st). I did the Indians..first..painted and fired the 3 figures 3 times..then I did |
Glass Earrings (Image Size: 11 kb) This is the first pair of earrings I
made. The glass was manufactured by Wasser, they are no longer in business, but the
glass is very thin and lightweight. This is what would be called a half fuse.
The glass has not completely gone flat which would be called a total fuse. |
Pin with Dichroic on Black Background (Image Size: 10 kb) This is a pin which is about 2" square, black background with several pieces of different color and textured dichroic glass. Unfortunately at this time, this glass is no longer made. I have heard rumours that Bullseye glass is making Dichroic once again. I will keep Marci posted should it become available on the market. (Marci is a reseller of Dichroic Glass - Her catalog is on this web site). |
China Painted Glass (Image Size:17 kb) I went to Nashville last October (1997) to
collaborate with Marci. I took a bunch of precut glass down and Marci painted.
I brought the painted and fired pieces home and added the dichroic to the second pair in a
separate fire.
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Mandan Warrior (Image Size: 33 kb) I am really hooked on the very thin porcelain tiles which I purchase from Kathy Peterson. A major reason is their translucency, but also they are easy to handle, quick to paint, and hold the paint depth on each fire. This Mandan warrior has been painted and fired 3 times and is a good example of Rosebud's paints. |
Mauve Dish (Image Size: 36 kb) This is a 6 inch square and about 1 inch deep slumped dish. I would describe this fire as a tact fuse. The glass has only been fired enough for the top pieces to be joined. |
Phoenix (Image Size: 80 kb) This is on a 4x4 (approx) inch thin porcelain
tile. I used Jean Beebe's pen oil and Rosebud's Bread Brown to outline. The
red is Blood Red and Rosebud' Yellow Brick Road and Yellow Mist. This is a good
illustration of red and yellow paints being used in the same side by side success
story. This piece has been fired twice, but not finished as I will do a background. |
Purple Brooch (Image Size: 11 kb) This brooch is about 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. The glass is a full antique and has 3 layers of glass in places. The top pieces were cut then put to a torch to be heated, melted twisted, pulled. The colors on this really don't show up. It is a very deep purple and very striking piece. |
Wren Canyon Kachina (Image Size: 43 kb) This is on a 3x5 inch thin porcelain tile. I used Jean Beebe's pen oil and Rosebud's Bread Brown to outline. The Hopi and Navaho Indian tribes have cerimonies where they use Kachina dancers. This is one is the Wren Canyon Kachina. I have painted the other 12 Kachinas, but this gives you an idea of my subjects I love to paint. I enjoy using bold colors. This tile has been painted and fired 4 times. |