I've been involved in some kind of art or craft all of my adult life. I taught ceramics full-time for about 10 years and then switched over to jewelry design. Fast forward another 10 years and then in 2002 my dearest friend passed away pretty suddenly (we were friends for 30+ years) and I knew I had to shake up my life. I saw an introduction to glass fusing class at the local arts center and that was 10 years ago and I've never looked back. Funny how my re-inventions of myself go in 10 year cycles!
My latest accomplishment was creating the group Studio Synergy NE along with Colleen McWatters and you're reading our blog post now!
Describe your work process to us.
I play with glass and heat. After a design concept comes to me, I cut the glass to size from large sheets. I then stack the pieces and fire them in kilns to about 1500 degrees or so. Depending on the technique I'm using, most pieces require additional firings depending on coldworking needed, if I'm slumping into a mold, or draping over a mold, etc. You can usually guess at how a piece will come out, but I'll tell you, opening up those kilns is like a kid on Christmas morning! After almost 10 years of glasswork, I still have more than my share of uh-oh's, but the process is amazing and enthralling.
What do you like best about what you do?
I am the best boss I've ever had, however, the benefits are slim to none, ha! Seriously, I love having a studio that is very conducive to working long hours, I love that I can work at any time of the day or night, I love that I can turn the music on as loud as I want, I love that my furry girls can come down to the studio any time because I'm always ready for snack time and nose kisses, I adore that my grandkids love being down here with me and creating. My current studio faces out onto the mountains of upstate New York and Vermont and the deer and bunnies and birds and creatures are beautiful. I am grateful to be fortunate enough to do what I do.
What do you find most challenging about your work?
I am a pitiful photographer. The necessity of paperwork is not my friend. Sometimes the isolation of where I live is .... well .... isolating. Picking and choosing which shows to do each season is a real crap shoot. I have a very hard time putting myself out there and prefer dogs to most people.
What inspires you? How are your inspirations expressed in your work?
Everything inspires me which is why I work a gazillion hours a month! I find inspiration from music, from nature, from relationships, from animals. I do not find inspiration from paperwork or taking photos or from a ringing telephone. I love playing with different colors and having real wow moments when I open kilns.
What are your 3 favorite things in your studio?
Oooh, this is a tough one, I have more than 3, but today we'll go with my CD player, my mini refrigerator so I always have fresh brewed cold tea (o.k., and chocolate), and a sign that says This Is Where I Should Be. After that of course is my lovely stash of glass, tools, and a framed copy of a newspaper article featuring me (yeah, I hit the big time).
Tell us 3 things that no one would ever guess about you.
I've had as many as nine (yes, 9!) dogs at one time and would do it again in a heartbeat. I miss them.
I am a pretty damned great cook.
I am actually an introvert and way too sensitive.
One of the things on my life's bucket list is to be shot out of a cannon (I kid you not, I have fantasized about it). If Adam Levine could be with me in that cannon, life would be complete.
Oh and while I'm living that fantasy, in WillowWorld I am either Ann Wilson from Heart or Pat Benatar.
Where can we see your work?
Website: http://willowglass.etsy.com is my primary online presence, I'm working on my own site, but geez louise, it's hard!
You can find me in the upstate NY and southern VT region most week-ends from May through December.
You can find my work at Artcentric on River Street in downtown Troy, NY and also during the holidays at The Shop at the Arts Center also on River Street.
You can find me on Facebook under Willow Glass.
email: willowglass13@yahoo.com and studiosynergyne@gmail.com
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Great interview! Even though I've known you through the craft show circuit for years, it is always fun to find out new things...a cannon! Very cool! You sign has it right--you are a teriffic glass artist & are right where you belong!
ReplyDeletea cannon?! I knew there was a crazy lady in there somewhere!
ReplyDelete