Still Waters

While on my visit to Washington in June, I took these photographs of the reflection of the trees and sky off the still waters of Blue Lake using using my Canon Rebel EOS. I just loved the painterly qualities the scene takes from the slight distortion of the waters reflection.

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Back from BECON

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I always enjoy a trip to the Pacific Northwest and this one was particularly full of adventure. The driving focus was to attend the Bullseye Education Conference (BECON). Two years ago I attended the conference on architectural glass. This year’s conference, Filling the Void, was focused on glass casting. Nina “Sam” Hibler and I went with the intent of increasing our depth of knowledge and exposure to this area of particular personal interest to both of us. Once again Bullseye put together a well rounded conference with thought provoking speakers, some technical information and social events. In addition to the conference, this was an opportunity to spend time with friends and family from Portland to Seattle.

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I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent on a whirlwind tour of Portland; from the city's unique neighborhoods, to the natural beauties of the the Columbia River Gorge, followed by a fabulous late night meal with friends.

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Portland's neighborhoods are full of character

and obviously cool

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Columbia River Gorge just before Sunset

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Papa Haydn - my advise skip dinner

go straight for desert

this is not a reflection on the food

it's a reflection on the desert

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After BECON was complete Sam and I headed North for a visit with Leslie Thiel walking the grounds of the Tacoma Museum of Glass and eating lunch on the docks. stopping in Tacoma to see the current exhibits is a habit of mine when coming to this part of the country. This time it afforded us the chance to see the work of some of the speakers we had just seen present at BECON a few days before.

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The fountains in the foreground are by Howard Ben Tre

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But most of all I enjoyed time with my favorite young artist (i.e. my 5 year old niece) taking walks in the woods, collaborating on drawings and visiting the Seattle Museum of Art (SAM). One of many exhibits presently at the SAM was A Bead Quiz which had examples and information about beads made from a myriad of materials, including glass. Personally, I enjoyed seeing the items in their permanent collection, of which some 100 pieces can be viewed online. This includes my favorite piece Some/One by Do-Ho Suh. I was struck silent (and this doesn't happen often) by the impact of seeing this amazing piece of sculpture. A large scale work made using the stainless steal of solders’ dog tags. Amazing both in it's construction and the message held in the hundreds of untold stories behind the dog tags used as components.

Now back home I am packing for my next trip, this time to the Pittsburgh Glass Center.

Flourish (flûr'ĭsh)

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As defined by the American Heritage Dictionary it is to thrive; to do or fair well; prosper; to make bold, sweeping movements; to wield, wave or exhibit dramatically. It is dramatic or stylish movements, as of waving or brandishing, an embellishment or ornamentation; to sign back and forth boldly.
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After two months of reading books and watching way to much bad television, I was finally given the all clear to go back to “work” with my right hand. Such good news I decided should be celebrated with a flourish, not just figuratively but literally. By that evening I was sitting in the classroom at Stamp Antonio Arts for a Calligraphic Flourishing workshop from my favorite calligraphy teacher Joan Schmitz. Having not picked up a tool of any sort for weeks it felt odd to grasp a holder and C2 nib. My normal apprehension of that first black mark on plan white paper was far outweighed by my desire to, at long last, do something. I had a good time letting go and my arm seemed to enjoy the broad and open movements.

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This energy carried over several days to Fiery Friday at Wired Designs Studio. Once again this is typically an environment were I am a bit out of my element. As the sole kiln formed glass craftsman in a room full of torch working pros I normally feel a bit intimidated, but not tonight. I arrived with a plan which involved making components for three separate projects. It wasn't long before I saw the similarities between the work I had been doing Tuesday night with pen and ink, and the design elements I was making in the torch. By the end of the night I must have busted out two full boxes full of ribbons and spirals. These will later end up in work like Family Tree or as the design element in a functional piece.

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There are times when I have made cognizant efforts to bring calligraphic techniques to my glass work. But I find more and more that it is the natural and often unconscious influence that I enjoy best.

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