Cherrie La Porte's art uniquely incorporates the use of dichroic glass and metal in a kinetic way, where the light can be reflected and transmitted through movement. Cherrie has always been inspired by organic forms, the color spectrum and contemporary design. Her abstract art mobiles simplify these complexities with focus on color and light.
First Cherrie lays out the hollow metal circles as the framework for five circles in assorted sizes. Then she cuts smaller pieces of stained glass and dichroic glass (two-colored glass that reflects light) from sheets and designs a mosaic pattern within each circle. Cherrie leaves space in between the pieces and copper-foils each piece of glass by taping around the edges with copper foil. The chards are then connected at various points with a soldering iron, and she solders an eye hook to each circle for the wire to connect to. Where the glass is not connected, Cherrie does a process called "tinning," turning the copper to tin. The tin is soldered right over the copper foil. Next, she bends hobby wire with a pair of pliers to form the frame of the mobile. To complete her work, she hangs each of the five circles in perfect balance from the wire and adds a string accented with glass beads to the top. It's now ready to be hung from a hook, ceiling or overhang.
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