During the last quarter of a century or so, I have made a career of serving first as the Office Manager, and now Energy Analyst for a state association. The work requires logic, an analytical mind, a head for detail and the constant crunching of numbers. Although the work is certainly rewarding, there is little outlet for creativity, as that type of thing is highly frowned upon in the world of bookkeeping and such.
An affirmed non-artist, I “found” glass at the age of 50. It was like receiving a surprise gift for some forgotten occasion. I hadn’t planned on becoming a glass artist. I took a bead making course on a whim. Then I took a fusing class, and was hooked. In my home studio in Columbia, Missouri, I now create both lampworked (hot) and fused (warm) glass art, calling myself “Snow Flake Glass” …Get it?...No Two Are Alike!
The backbone of my stock in trade consists of a room full of glass in five different varieties and a multitude of formats. Each must be kept separate because they don’t play well together. Melt them together in a project and your new work of art will surely end up breaking into pieces – sometimes dramatically.
Each of my fused glass plates is created individually. Most sport dichroic color and/or irridized glass. Many of my designs are of a geometric nature, possibly reflecting my experience with patchwork quilting – or maybe it is just an extension of my analytical mind. My “fishies” kiln-fused underwater scenes are lovingly made piece by piece including lampworked details representing sea plants and other creatures (and yes, I actually do use a tweezers to place pieces of frit sometimes).
I have also “dabbled” with learning to blow glass. I’ve already made my first obligatory paper weights during an eight-hour, intensive glass blowing class. Because there isn’t a hot shop for miles around, I will just have to pursue this form of glassmaking as I get the opportunity.
The ability to use heat to create beautiful works of glass art, from a tiny bead to more functional glass-ware items, is ancient. It’s been around for a couple thousand years. There are so many ideas in my head and products or techniques on my list of “things to try”, that I know I will never exhaust the possibilities.
Artist's Bio
Membership:
- Columbia Art League
- Best of Missouri Hands Juried Artist (since 2009)
- Best of Missouri Hands Board of Directors 2010 - 2011
- President, Best of Missouri Hands 2010, 2011
- Glass Art Society (since 2011)
Awards:
- Coatings by Sandberg "Dichroic by Design" Contest - Honorable Mention for Fused Glass Piece "Jazz Seasons" (2011)
Commissions:
- Chosen by Missouri Arts Council to create the MAC 2012 Awards which will be presented on February 8, 2012 at the Missouri State Capitol.
Galleries:
- Columbia Art League, 11 S. 9th, Columbia MO
- Bluestem Missouri, 13 S. 9th, Columbia MO
- RMD Gallery & Framing Service, 210 South Sixth Street, Springfield IL
- Missouri Made & More, 4175 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach MO
Juried Shows:
- Columbia Art League “Art in the Park” (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- Arrow Rock Heritage Craft Festival (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
- The Art Fair at Queeny Park, St. Louis MO (Fall 2011)
Other Art Shows:
- Affair of the Arts (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) - a showing of local artists in Columbia
- Big Red Box (2010, 2011) - Best of Missouri Hands Juried Member show in St. Charles, MO
- Fall into Art (2010, 2011) - a showing of local artists in Columbia
Juried Exhibits:
- Celebrating Creativity (2010, 2011) William Woods University, Fulton MO - Juried exhibit of Best of Missouri Hands artists.
- Made in Missouri Exhibit (2011), Silver Dollar City, Branson MO, BOMH Juried Exhibit
- State of Missouri Governor's Mansion Best of Missouri Hands Exhibit - Glass Artist Exhibit, August 2010 -
Training/Workshops/Conferences:
- Brad Pearson two day intermediate lampwork course (2007)
- Karen Leonardo three day lampwork course (2009)
- Missouri Bead Retreat (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
- Midwest Glass Experience four day workshop, St. Louis, (2009, 2010)
- Mark Salsbury Glass Casting two day workshop (2008)
- Best of Missouri Hands ArtSmart Annual Conference (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
Other:
- Delphi Glass chose my work to be highlighted in their annual catalogue with an "Artist Spotlight" (2009-2010 and 2011-2012 catalogues)
