 I earned a B.A. in studio art from Michigan State University in 1982 and took my first glassblowing class soon after that. About fifteen years later, glass re-emerged as a strong interest in my life and work, gradually becoming my favorite medium.
I find that I am best able to translate my ideas into glass when combining the techniques of blowing, lampworking and fusing. This allows me to use and continually improve a wide range of skills, and also achieve effects that are unusual in the field of glass art. I strive to create continually new and expressive work, reflecting the complexity of our world, relationships, and inner landscapes. In my current body of work, I combine blown and flameworked elements into fused, framed glass panels. In a many-step process of making, breaking, and re-making, I assemble areas of pattern, texture, and color which I then combine to create painterly or quilt-like effects. Some of my pieces contain metal inclusions, vapors, and the carbonized remains of plant matter. Many use light, space, and shadow as design elements.
Professional Memberships Glass Art Society: glassart.org American Craft Council: craftcouncil.org Glass Artists: glassartists.org Madison Artists Alliance: madisonartists.org |
I do almost all of my work in my small studio in Madison, Wisconsin, traveling to larger facilities as necessary. My equipment includes a crucible kiln with a 50-pound capacity, a tabletop glory hole, and several fusing and annealing kilns. I use a Nortel mid-range burner for lampworking, and other torches as needed. I work primarily, but not exclusively, with 90 C.O.E. glass.