Artist Statement
Glass fits my creative process. It allows me to work spontaneously, to play with colors and shapes, to backtrack and rearrange until a design starts to gel. I approach each piece with an open mind and only a vague idea of the design. If I知 lucky, the piece will come together easily. Sometimes it's a struggle of trial and error. While I work, my mind is often filled with abstract images from nature: flowing water, driftwood, petrified wood, river rock, reflections, amber, gemstones, moss, movement, waves.
I also love the technical aspects of working with glass: getting it to break properly, learning to predict how the glass will behave when fired, and what is called "cold-working: grinding, sandblasting, slicing, and polishing. Every firing offers the chance to experiment, the potential for failure and the possibility of unexpected stunning results.
Currently, I知 exploring using a matte surface (obtained by sandblasting and refiring) to give transparent glass the color depth of opacity while maintaining the glow of transparency. I can稚 imagine ever becoming bored working in glass.
I also love the technical aspects of working with glass: getting it to break properly, learning to predict how the glass will behave when fired, and what is called "cold-working: grinding, sandblasting, slicing, and polishing. Every firing offers the chance to experiment, the potential for failure and the possibility of unexpected stunning results.
Currently, I知 exploring using a matte surface (obtained by sandblasting and refiring) to give transparent glass the color depth of opacity while maintaining the glow of transparency. I can稚 imagine ever becoming bored working in glass.
Biographical Information
EXHIBITIONS:
Invited Artist, 2008 Art in the Pearl Collaborations Exhibition, Museum of
Contemporary Craft, Portland, Oregon
Invited Artist, 2008 Philomath Open Studios Tour
Invited Artist, Corvallis Art Center community glass artist display at Footwise July, 2008
Philomath Open Studios Tour Exhibition at Pegasus Gallery, September, 2008
Invited Artist, Corvallis Fall Festival Fine Arts Showcase 2009
Invited Artist, 2010 Lake Oswego Council of Arts Chronicle Exhibit
Invited Artist, 2011 Middlebury College Alumni Show, Edgewater Gallery, Middlebury, Vermont
COURSEWORK:
Oregon State University Craft Center Fused Glass Program, various classes 2003-present
Patty Gray - Advanced Fused Bowls, Eugene Glass School, April 2005
Amy Schleif-Mohr - High Fire and Color Theory - Oregon Glass Guild, Portland, Sept. 2006
SHOWS:
Salem Art Fair and Festival - Juried Artist 2009,2010
Art in the High Desert - Juried Artist 2009,2010
Corvallis Fall Festival - Juried Artist, 2008,2009,2010 Bonnie Hall Best of Show Award
Corvallis Fall Festival - TEAL Artist Cooperative booth, 2006 & 2007
Dancing Oaks Summer Festival, Invited Artist, 2005-2009
MEMBERSHIPS: Oregon Glass Guild
GALLERY REPRESENTATIONS:
TEAL Fine Arts & Crafts Cooperative Gallery - Juried Member, 2006 - present
Gallery Nouveau, Corvallis, Oregon - 2008
Green Heron Gallery, Brownsville, Oregon - 2008
EDUCATION:
Middlebury College, B.A. Spanish
University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D.
FORMER LIFE:
Corporate Lawyer, Legal Services Attorney (9 yrs), Divorce Mediator (8 yrs)
OTHER PASSIONS:
Gardening, nature, family, cats, Spanish, travel, reading
Invited Artist, 2008 Art in the Pearl Collaborations Exhibition, Museum of
Contemporary Craft, Portland, Oregon
Invited Artist, 2008 Philomath Open Studios Tour
Invited Artist, Corvallis Art Center community glass artist display at Footwise July, 2008
Philomath Open Studios Tour Exhibition at Pegasus Gallery, September, 2008
Invited Artist, Corvallis Fall Festival Fine Arts Showcase 2009
Invited Artist, 2010 Lake Oswego Council of Arts Chronicle Exhibit
Invited Artist, 2011 Middlebury College Alumni Show, Edgewater Gallery, Middlebury, Vermont
COURSEWORK:
Oregon State University Craft Center Fused Glass Program, various classes 2003-present
Patty Gray - Advanced Fused Bowls, Eugene Glass School, April 2005
Amy Schleif-Mohr - High Fire and Color Theory - Oregon Glass Guild, Portland, Sept. 2006
SHOWS:
Salem Art Fair and Festival - Juried Artist 2009,2010
Art in the High Desert - Juried Artist 2009,2010
Corvallis Fall Festival - Juried Artist, 2008,2009,2010 Bonnie Hall Best of Show Award
Corvallis Fall Festival - TEAL Artist Cooperative booth, 2006 & 2007
Dancing Oaks Summer Festival, Invited Artist, 2005-2009
MEMBERSHIPS: Oregon Glass Guild
GALLERY REPRESENTATIONS:
TEAL Fine Arts & Crafts Cooperative Gallery - Juried Member, 2006 - present
Gallery Nouveau, Corvallis, Oregon - 2008
Green Heron Gallery, Brownsville, Oregon - 2008
EDUCATION:
Middlebury College, B.A. Spanish
University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D.
FORMER LIFE:
Corporate Lawyer, Legal Services Attorney (9 yrs), Divorce Mediator (8 yrs)
OTHER PASSIONS:
Gardening, nature, family, cats, Spanish, travel, reading
After two decades of left brain lawyering, I ventured outside of my comfort zone and signed up for a fused glass class in 2003. Delving into the creative world and working with my hands, instead of my brain, was intimidating and scary at first. What began as a journey of self-exploration and curiosity has evolved into my passion and full-time endeavor.
I find the creative process to be both mystifying and addictive. I love the clarity of mind and meditative calm I experience when creativity is flowing and I'm intrigued by the unknown of what's next and the challenge of pushing myself beyond my imagined boundaries.
I find the creative process to be both mystifying and addictive. I love the clarity of mind and meditative calm I experience when creativity is flowing and I'm intrigued by the unknown of what's next and the challenge of pushing myself beyond my imagined boundaries.