Description
FLOW FALL 2016
Features
Letter from the Editor
by Jennifer Menzies
Jennifer Menzies, editor of The Flow, welcomes readers to the annual focus on the rewarding world of collaborative art. Many artists are finding that working with peers tends to stimulate their creativity and produce unique work. There are also many opportunities to creative collaboratively for the benefit of various charities.
The Flow 2016 Collaborative Gallery
The Flow 2016 Collaborative Gallery features the work of eleven flameworking artists. This collection showcases beautiful and innovative glass art that includes nature, mythological characters, and sculptural work.
The Big D.R.M.S. Project
Benjamin Belgrad’s Glass Gives Back
by Shawn Waggoner
Photography by Justin Costiniano and Matt Zwiebel
Winning a piece of handblown glass at a raffle encouraged Benjamin Belgrad to begin working with borosilicate glass. An altruistic nature and the influence of his family inspired him to turn his glass art into a philanthropic pursuit. The artist has created collaborative drinking glasses with many different flameworkers to benefit various charities.
Ed Schmid and Dave Mireault
Harnessing Excess Furnace Heat for Cottage Industries
by Shawn Waggoner
Moving from his glassblowing studio after more than nineteen years was daunting for Ed Schmid until he found a new home for his studio with Dave Mireault on Dave’s homestead. The move has inspired them to work together to develop ways to use recuperated heat from Ed’s furnace to help local cottage industries.
The Contemporary Shot Glass
by Eli Mazet
Photography by Tim Giruadier
Mazet Studios has produced The Contemporary Shot Glass, a new book featuring an immense shot glass collection. Designs range from nature themes and geometrics to mythological subjects and everything in between. The project was inspired by classes Eli and his brother Josh Mazet teach at the annual Glass Craft & Bead Expo.
Finding Creative Integrity and Developing an Inner Dialogue
by Freddy Faerron
Photography by Ben Ramsey
The contemporary borosilicate glass movement has quickly reached a high point thanks to a recent creative revolution involving tools, materials, and a growing community knowledge base. The most amazing part of this movement is a collective, open communication about personal creative developments, the central part of artistic growth.
What’s Hot
by Darlene Welch
Information on the latest in new glass types and colors, supplies and tools, kilns, books, patterns, and anything else that glass artists and enthusiasts need for working in hot glass can be found in the What’s Hot section of The Flow.
The Old Chinese Man
Text and Demonstration by Lewis Wilson and Barbara Svetlick
Lewis Wilson and Barbara Svetlick demonstrate techniques for creating a sculptural piece featuring an old Chinese man and tree created by Lewis and the cherry blossoms created by Barbara. Techniques are also included for preparing the manzanita burlwood base before assembling the figure and tree.
Loving Hearts
A Collaboration in Life and Glass
Text and Demonstration by Brent and Carla Graber
Brent and Carla Graber demonstrate techniques for creating a decorated heart pendant. Brent creates the flameworked heart base and provides tips for developing the shape of the heart. Carla decorates the heart with black stringer and clusters of dots for flower petals. Then it’s back to Brent to apply the finishing touches.
Two-Piece Sherlock with Disk Flip Accent
Text and Demonstration by Takoda Madrona and Dr. Whitestone
Takoda Madrona and Dr. Whitestone demonstrate techniques for creating a two-piece Sherlock with a geometric side decoration. Takoda forms the design for the disk, which can also be used as a pendant, with various colored stringers. Dr. Whitestone then builds the basic two-piece and fuses the pendant to the side.
Working Together
The Pros and Cons of Collaborative Art
by Milon Townsend
Milon Townsend describes the benefits of working collaboratively with other artists, including an increase in the value of the work and increased exposure to a partner’s collector base. Having a full understanding of what collaboration means, planning ahead before beginning, and engaging in preliminary communication are all essential to a successful partnership.
Kiln Corner
How to Choose a Kiln
by Arnold Howard
Photos Courtesy of Paragon Industries, L.P.
Arnold Howard, who writes instruction manuals for Paragon Industries, L.P., discusses important considerations when selecting a kiln including the size of the studio’s electric circuitry, the size kiln required to accommodate pieces normally created by the artist, and whether a front- or top-loader would work best for the type of projects created.