confusion art studio
decorative and functional kiln-formed glass
ph: 503.631.4213
Everyday objects can be beautiful,
so why not enjoy them every day.
SCATTERSHOT BOWLS...
Mysterious patterns emerge!
Just one step out of my familiar zone of creating serveware with carefully placed line and color, I discovered a world of formulated chaos. Still true to my desire to maintain order, this new direction allows me to carefully balance specific color combinations while leaving the final design presentation to the whims of the heat work done inside the kiln. The organic edge, the striking, often delicate patterns and the dramatic effects created when working with reactive glasses are not totally left to chance, but enough so that a bit of mystery can flow into each piece of my Scattershot bowl series.
Spirit Dolls - Influenced by my years spent submersed in native Southwestern art in Phoenix, Arizona and my visit to the Hopi reservations in Northern Arizona, this is my interpretation of the spirit dolls. I have been surprised at the popularity of these dolls here in the Northwest... but find that people in all regions are drawn to the mysteries surrounding the kachinas and share in my interest and enjoyment. The symbols kiln-carved into the glass on this particular doll come directly from my wedding band.
Photographing glass is a challenge!
Occasionally, I am a decent point-and-shoot photographer. I get a few lucky shots here and there with my Casio Exilim idiot proof digital camera. Becoming a "professional" photographer had NEVER crossed my mind. But today, I found myself spending HOURS in my newly-created "photo studio" - squinting through the lens (or is that the view finder??) of my Canon Rebel XTi SLR digital camera, arranging and re-arranging art, moving camera and light tripods up/down, in/out, and tripping over extension cords strewn all over the floor! Hardly the place I really want to be, but someone's gotta do it. Why? Every artist needs images of their work to enter shows. And, initially, the cost can seem prohibitive, especially when your work varies so much that every show needs a different set of 5 to 10 images! Unfortunately, that's the boat I'm in at this moment. So, reluctantly, I am on a steep learning curve... first trying to understand what it is that I want from each image and, finally, figuring out how I get there. I am learning that taking a deep breath, slooooowing down and thinking through the process, and having a patient professional photographer friend named Jerry helps. Thanks, Jerry! I still haven't made it through the pile of books you so kindly loaned to me, but I am getting better at working under pressure! My next series of images is due tomorrow and I'm confident that I SHALL not only meet the deadline, but with some damn good images to boot! Now, how creative can I get and still have it look like a platter??
Reactive Geometric Platter Series with silky matte finish
Here today, gone tomorrow!
My work is often not repeated, and as I am just beginning to produce images, I have a great deal of work in my studio that is NOT published on this site. If you see something you like, please ask and I will let you know if it is still available. If not, I will let you know if I can make a similar piece... all work is handmade and every sheet of art glass is different, so even if I tried to duplicate something, it will not be identical. For example, with the tabletop piece shown above, no patterns or measurements were jotted down, so a similar piece would have the same look and feel, but be uniquely different (especially if this piece is no longer is my possession!). If color is critical, please plan on visiting my studio to select among the 150 sheets of art glass that I have on hand at any given time. Some is one-of-a-kind, so the selection varies.
Do you live in a mid-century home? My modern simplicity and flutter platter series offer clean lines, contemporary design and bold color.
modern simplicity serveware...
Available in 5 luscious colors: turquoise, lemon, lime, orange and cotton candy pink with black accents.
Timeless and beautiful! Silky matte finish and clean modern design makes this a stand-out! Hand cutting and attention to detail enhance the pillow-like effect. Collect all pieces to complete your dinner table... and keep them on display to enjoy as art every day! Mix and match colors for a fun, contemporary table setting.
Flutter platter series...
Available in 5 luscious colors: cobalt blue, lemon, lime and orange with black accents.
The colorful lines within the black band appear to be dancing with delight as they make their way across the silky matte finish. All work is done by hand or in the kiln; no surface treatments are used, so these remain food safe.
Cobblestone platter series...
Available in 4 "seasonal" colors: spring, summer, fall and winter (shown).
A silky matte finish created using a combination of hand and fire polishing brings out the beauty in the cobblestone platters... sure to be a focal point on the entry table, cocktail table or dining table. No surface treatments are used, so these remain food safe.
Start enjoying functional art pieces for your table!!
ph: 503.631.4213