Meet Terry
Say we just met . . .
When I came down to breakfast, about 5 months ago, sitting there is an 80-year-old version of me. I haven’t been able to get rid of him.
I’m old enough to explain where inspiration really comes from. First some background. As a child my father taught me, “Put tools back where you found them.” He built a lot of stuff.
My mother taught me, “Don’t leave a mess behind you.” She sewed, had a kiln and painted in oils and water color.
My older brother said, “Let’s make some stuff.” And we did. Lots. My sister said, “Fool with my stuff and I’ll kill you.” But that’s another story.
CV:
1968 Bachelor of Architecture, University of California, Berkeley
1983 MBA, University of California, Berkeley
Schilling and Arnold, Architects, 1970’s. Oakland CA.
Powder Coating
Over six thousand colors are offered by my powder coating provider, Prismatic Powders. An enormous range of colors, textures and finishes that range from translucent, matte, high gloss or even holographic are available. I’d like to have the job of naming them. I’ve used “Rusty Penny” and “Soft Red Candy.”
Primarily, powder coatings are used to finish metal objects. This stuff is used for building cladding, automobile parts and even eye glass frames. It’s not painted on by brush or spray. No liquids are used. It goes on in a cloud of electrostatically charged fine particles. The finish is cured in an oven. Like the glaze on ceramics. As a result, powder coatings are more durable than liquid paint.
I’ve created techniques for applying this powder to glass cylinders. I control it using multiple layers and masking. Each layer has to be protected before new layers are added. In and out of my oven, you move around a lot. After I install an LED in the base, only then comes the “Oh. Wow.”
My son clued me in about using hightemp tape to mask my designs onto glass. I actually blame him for what’s going on in my garage. He built my dust proof booth for powder coating. Come by my house. The kitchen is the only room that’s not full of junk for creating my lamps.
From the design sketch to the “Oh Wow” moment, a lamp takes maybe two weeks. Some have up to seven layers of powder coatings. Each layer has to be protected before the next one goes on. Forget about painting anything over. My lamps are all technique.
Inspiration really comes from improving my techniques. Plus, some stuff like looking around. And maybe what people tell me.
Borosilicate Glass
Schilling Glass lamps are made of borosilicate glass, which is extremely durable. However, it is glass. If dropped on the floor, it will break. The finish is durable. Wipe off fingerprints with a soft cloth and glass cleaner. The lamp and its bamboo base can be handled and relocated easily.
Where to place your lamp
The lamps are lovely in any setting without being lit from within. Turning on the inner light reveals a new dimension of shape and color, especially in subdued lighting. For the most stunning effects, use the lighted lamp in a dark setting where the light projects through the lamp onto nearby surfaces. Place the lamp next to a wall or set it on a reflective surface.
In-process Lamps
Frog Full of Kids, Category, Playtime
Persephone, Category, Stories
Red Bird, Category, Stories
People like ’em . . .
“The tiger lamp that Terry made for me is very beautiful, very unique. Terry did an excellent job starting with my idea for the tiger. I highly recommend him if you are looking for an artist to create something from your ideas.”
“La lámpara de tigre que Terry hizo para mí es muy hermosa, muy única. Terry hizo un excelente trabajo comenzando con mi idea para el tigre. Lo recomiendo encarecidamente si estás buscando un artista para crear algo a partir de tus ideas.”
I. Fernandez, Torrence, CA
“Living with one of Terry’s beautiful lamps is a mesmerizing experience. I just want to keep looking at it.”
K. Stanton, Irvine CA