What inspired this glass vessel?
I created this piece as an application requirement for Carver, the school I currently attend. The assignment was to incorporate a series of decals they provided—a table, a rooster, and a few others—into any medium of our choice. The decals reminded me of the movie The Wizard of Oz. I imagined the objects flying in a tornado and knew I could create a tornado effect with glass. I also knew
I could create colorful glass to represent Oz. I combined those two effects as a background for the decals. My work, Over the Rainbow, evolved from there.
How does color play a role in your work?
On the tornado side, I chose gray, black, and white to represent Dorothy’s world before she enters Oz. The stretched-out circular lines show motion. On the other side, there is gritty texture and dots that throw off an iridescent and magical feel, representing the land of Oz.
What was your working process?
I used the incalmo technique. Basically, you blow hot glass into a shape and add color to it. Then, using special tools, you manipulate the glass into a big open sphere. You cool it and repeat the process to make another bowl. You measure the bowls to make sure they are the same diameter, heat them up again, and push them together to fuse them. You finish it by creating an opening at the top.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists like yourself?
If something seems too difficult, or if you get frustrated, don’t quit. Take a break if you need to, but stay determined to finish what you started.