I’ve started adding colour to my fracked glass material. For this table-top I used a cobalt blue.

Dragons Den Deal Update

The Dragons Den ran my episode again last week and as usual I received lots of emails from people inquiring about what happened so I thought I had better set the record straight. Kevin O’Leary called me two weeks after the recording and backed out of the deal saying they loved the glass and my patent was rock solid but they didn’t know how to commercialize it. The show aired at the end of the first season in 2006 (sadly the night before my wife’s Mom’s funeral) and has gone into steady reruns ever since. I get emails from old friends congratulating me on my “success” and inquiries from large companies all over the world who would like to order large quantities of my glass. As well, I have had companies inquire about licencing the technology. The funny thing is I am still working by myself “up-cycling” one-of-a-kind art pieces with my unbelievably patient wife doing the admin. We are still hoping for the deal that turns around our financial fortunes but it hasn’t happened yet. I must admit it was fun to do the show and I enjoy the attention it always brings when it runs again. I have had emails from all over the world and in several languages but I have never figured out how to turn the fame into money yet. I am still willing to entertain a similar deal to that offered by the Dragons’ and believe me the technology has improved considerably since I made that trip to Toronto 6 years ago.

Be Green,
Rick Silas

Time to put my artwork on the back burners…

Demand is increasing for the flat shattered glass as a new building material….time to put the art on the back burners and focus on licensing the patented technology. The material is like transparent plywood and can be cut, drilled, and polished.   It can be made to any thickness and is as strong as marble or granite but a fraction of the weight. The adhesive is compressed into the cracks, creating an extremely strong vertical and horizontal bond. The material can be used for walls, floors, table tops, counter tops, etc. It can be made with reclaimed tempered glass. Reruns of the Dragons Den and our web presence has garnered us inquiries from all over the world with the latest one from Europe wanting a licensing agreement to produce 1000′s of shattered glass walls.

https://twitter.com/RickSilas1

https://twitter.com/RickSilas1

Well I have decided to join the Twitterverse….I can now be tweeted at the following (see above)

Yin Yang Table and Base from reclaimed tempered glass

This table and base was a commission piece and was created using my patented laminated and shattered glass process.  The Yin Yang shape is comprised of two pieces and symbolizes the balance one must create to have a harmonious work and personal life.  The edge is what I call “random” and antiqued to look like the metal is melting into the glass.  The input material is 14 sheets of reclaimed tempered glass.  No machines or heat was used in the creation of this piece.  The glass was cut to shape using a simple saw. Dimensions: 5′ diameter by 1.5″ thick by 29″ in height.    Commissions Accepted.

Custom Yin Yang Table made from reclaimed tempered glass

New Studio Location

Rick Silas and Silastial Glass has moved gallery and studio into the town of Sidney.  We are now located on The Mary Winspear Arts Centre grounds.   We have 3,000 sq.ft of space and 6,000 outdoor which we plan on turning into a sculpture garden.  We are open most days from 10 – 5 pm but please call to confirm.  You can find us at the south end of The Winspear property with access off of Bevan Avenue.  Look for the giant red “pencils.”

It’s official…Rick will be teaching at Royal Roads University

LEARN THE ART OF ETCHING ON GLASS

Date: Sat, Nov 19, & 26, 2011

Length: 6 hrs
Times: 10am – 1pm
Cost: $125 + applicable taxes
Best to Register By: Sat, Nov 5, 2011

Course Description (PDF)

Course Description

This class teaches you how to create and transfer permanent images on glass using lightweight etching tools. Learn to etch glass on two 10’’x16’’ plates using diamond etching tools. Etching on glass is a very safe and simple technique that allows you to create a finished art piece that will stand the test of time. We use reclaimed tempered glass. This medium has many diverse applications such as creating signage or auto “tattooing” and allows you to turn existing glass showers or railings into works of art. The techniques learned in this workshop can also be used to etch other materials like ceramic, stone, metal and concrete.
This process uses no heat or chemicals and requires no previous artistic skills. Etching tools are easily available and can be purchased for as little as $50 at most hardware stores.

Topics:
• The abundance of waste tempered glass in the market place
• How to “up cycle” glass you have at home into one of a kind art
• How to set up your studio and get started
• Hands on creation of your own work

Learning Outcomes:
This introductory course introduces the students to the tools and techniques of etching on glass. The student will safely learn to etch glass on two 10’’x16’’ plates using diamond etching tools. Etching on glass is a very safe and simple technique that allows you to create a finished art piece that will stand the test of time. We use reclaimed tempered glass.

This medium has many diverse applications such as creating signage or auto “tattooing.” This technique allows you to turn existing glass showers or railings into works of art. Rick etches on glass to add detail to his ice glass paintings and shaped shatters but his favourite use is for turning waste tempered glass into large garden sculptures that can easily deal with Canadian winters.

The techniques learned in this workshop can also be used to etch other materials like ceramic, stone, metal and concrete.

Facilitator: Rick Silas has been a professional artist for over 30 years. The techniques he has developed for painting on glass are multi-dimensional in appearance with a patented formula for bending glass without heat allows him to create large glass sculptures without the limitations faced when using heat. he mainly uses reclaimed tempered glass and has sold many hundreds of pieces over the last twenty years. Featured on The Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet he was filmed bending a piece of glass into a sculpture. Rick has had numerous local, national, and international published articles and many radio interviews.

TO REGISTER FOLLOW THIS LINK

http://www.royalroads.ca/continuing-studies/CYTAEA2654-Y11.htm