Now that's settled, I can move forward and get to work on Plasma, now that the Neon Lab is in pumping condition!
​
Hope you enjoy the Weekly⚡ Picks!
 
Thank You,

Percy Echols II
​Taming Lightning  ⚡

​Hello Lightning Tamers!

I taught my first 2-day workshop at Pittsburgh Glass Center for Plasma Globes, a first for PGC as a make-n-take Plasma Globe.

Day 1, which focused on making our globes and shapes in the hot shop and adding the electrode.

• used transparent colors to make the globes look good during the day light
• starting with a ball or globe shape as the first item.
• played withing making unconventional shapes, which took a bit of trial and error as well as challenging the adventurous nature of the students. I found this to be a little too challegning for people even if they've taken similar workshops like paperweights, pumpkins, or ornaments.

Day 2 , the final step involving pumping the Globes, and filling them with Neon or Argon.

• This part of the workshop really put me to the test. I learned that I'm not as ready as I thought I was.
• Students that chose clear had the opiton of using Neon Phosphor powders to add layer of color.
• Students watched as I operated the system, and navigated when the effects were pleasing for them.
• In the end welding up tubulations was challenging, and took the right torch, this is where Sean Ferrigan became the MVP for tonight, who brought some of his neon torches, making a huge difference in my tubulation connections. 
• We had an issue with the tech22 single-end transformers overheating, and have not idea why.

​I had a good group of students, each supportive and entertained by the new experience.

When working on your system or building one and maintaining it you'll need to know:

• What parts are needed for your system?
• Where to buy them and how much they cost?
• How they work and how to install them?
• Someone who know more than you!
  
  

So what was I fixing this whole time? well it was replacing the line for the tanks, due to deformation in the copper tubing. I had to find out what I needed, and had to make my purchase and modifications with future upgrades in mind.I didn't want to be cheap and definitely want to make is so that there a diffinitive source for us as Plasma and Neon are absorbed into Pittsburgh Glass Center for public access.
​
Thanks to the wonderful Neon and Plasma community, have more people to lend their knowledge and experience that I can count on my hands and toes. Those most noted are: Mundy Hepburn, Bruce Suba, Aaron Ristau, Kevin Twing, and Anders Mikkelesen.
 
So I’m super excited to teach my first class, and introduce a first in Plasma Neon at Pittsburgh Glass Center, especially for those local to Pittsburgh Glass. Thank your for your support!

Hope you enjoy the Weekly⚡ Picks!
 
Thank You,

Percy Echols II
​Taming Lightning  ⚡

Hope you enjoy the Weekly⚡ Picks!
 
Thank You,

Percy Echols II
​Taming Lightning  ⚡

Hope you enjoy the Weekly⚡ Picks!
 
Thank You,

Percy Echols II
​Taming Lightning  ⚡

Hello Lightning Tamers!

After surfing the interwebs last night, I spotted a post shared in one of the facebook groups I'm apart of, A little documentary on Ben Livingston, who's work I've seen before, but didn't have a name to. After watching the video and looking through work, what  impressed me was the various ways he used neon, from line work, to atmospheric light where he's blocking out the light under another layer, and sculptural forms. What most impressd me through above all was his use of phosphorous powders to play with color in his tube work. Check out the video below!

"Ben Livingston is a world renowned neon artist. His many highly acclaimed works of art can be seen in such places as The Austin Convention Center, The Bass Concert Hall, to even the The State of Texas' Capitol Building. Livingston has lived a vivid and wanderlust life most dream of, and you can experience it for the first time in his words. Not only is he a talented visual artist, but he is one of Texas' hidden gems when it comes to songwriting. Spinning words and chords at the levels of Townes Van Zandt and Willie Nelson."