Thursday, June 15, 2023

Adventures in the 'D'!

 This last week was a wonderful time for glass artists in Detroit.

It started with the Glass Art Society holding their annual conference in the 'D'! 

The events for the conference were held at the Detroit Institute of Art (DIA) where Corning Museum of Glass (CMOG) set up a hotshop, The Center for Creative Studies (CCS) and the Russell Industrial Center (RIC).   Several of the ISGB board members were in town for a meeting and a couple stayed with me for the GAS conference.  

We mostly attended the lampwork sessions at the Russell .  We saw some great goblets being made as well as glass chain, and a decanter.  We did attend the Goblet grab and a interesting display of a 3D printer that uses glass rods for source at CCS.  Had some delicious cocktails and talked with old friends.

The closing party for GAS was at the Russell in the Axiom glass studio.    Large Interesting space and great times with glassy types.

The Michigan Glass Project (MGP) overlapped the GAS conference and the 2 events were quite different although much alike in the love for glass.

MGP highlighted some very famous functional glass artists as well as musicians and artists.  MGP brings these artists together to raise money for Art Road which is a nonprofit that brings art to the Detroit Public Schools.  'Art for a Cause' .  Before COVID I demonstrated beads for them and hope to do it again in the future. Great music, art, and glass!  

It was truly a fabulous week and I feel filled with friendship and love for my art.





Friday, June 2, 2023

Great Glass Adventures

 Just returned from 12 days in Italy.  Had a wonderful trip to Venice and Murano.

Karyn Sweezy and I traveled through Toronto to Venice and made our way to an apartment we rented in Murano.  It was a lovely place close to the Venier vaporetto stop and was furnished with everything we needed.  

We spent 5 days at the Tommassi studio taking several classes from Astrid Riedel.  The skills that we were introduced to will need a great deal of practice for me to master but it was a wonderful class.  Astrid is a wonderful teacher and it was delightful to spend time with her.

After the class we did some sightseeing around Venice, Murano, Burano, and then took a day trip to the dolomites.  I recommended this for anyone that is going to this area.  The mountains were amazing and such a contrast to the water world of Venice and other islands.  Of course we stopped in to see Roberto Dona as well as the gold leaf makers to round out the trip.  It was super fun to show Karyn around the area and to experience some new things even though this was my 3rd trip!  

Soon the Glass Art Society (GAS) will converge on Detroit for their annual conference in tandem with the Michigan Glass Project (MGP),  Many of my glass friends will be at the conference and a few are hanging at my house so good times are coming!

I look forward to the glass adventure next week and am as always thankful for the art that I have come to love.






Monday, April 24, 2023

Where have I been?

 I was quite shocked to realize that I haven't posted to my blog for over a year!   Life gets busy and we don't always keep up with everything.

I have 2 growing grandsons and my day job keeps me busy but I still love glass and torch when I can.

I went to Ireland in 2022 with Sara Lagrand and took classes at a fabulous studio in Mulranny!

The coastal town and studio were perfectly suited for creative times and time with other artists.

Leaving for Italy in less than a month for class with Astrid Riedel.  I didn't think I would be back in Murano but I couldn't turn down the opportunity.  

I hope if you read this you are having great glassy adventures.  Make everyday a good day.  Thats what I am trying to do.