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The
liquid crystal quality of water, (which resembles that of glass) and the
never-ending study of the strange and wonderful creatures that lived
with in it became a life long passion. Creating illusions of underwater
environments in glass, copper and steel, infuses the work with the
life-force energy of fire and forge. It’s my hope that as the viewer
becomes lost in the sight, sound and feel of the work, they become
gently charged with that same life-force energy, while still
experiencing the peaceful relaxing sense of visiting a strange and
wonderful underwater world.
My
techniques of combining the elements of glass, metal and water are
steeped in the ancient history of humanity. Metal and glass share that
long history, both being products of the smelting pot and 5000 years of
development. Water is perhaps nature’s most essential element,
enabling life itself. As an artist who enjoys working in the ancient
arts, it became clear that glass, metal and water are the perfect
palette.
I
begin my work with an initial design, somewhat like an architect creates
the initial drawings of a building. Then I deconstruct the design to
develop a plan of action to create the piece. In all cases the work
begins at the glory hole with the glass making part of the project
happening first. Once the glass pieces are completed, inspected and
tagged for the specific art piece, I move the pieces to the metal shop
and begin to create the metal substructure. Depending on whether I am
using steel, or copper, I forge the metal into the shape necessary to
support the glass elements. Once the metal has been roughed in, I turn
it over to my assistant who grinds all joints smooth and prepares the
surface for the final finish. Once the metal is sealed, thin coats of
various pigments are layered on to the
surface to achieve the desired underwater effect. After all
individual elements are completely prepared; they are assembled into the
finished piece.
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Awards
Beverly Hills Affair in the Garden
Beverly Hills Mayors Choice Award
Indian Wells Arts Festival
Fiesta Hermosa Beach
People’s Choice One of a
Kind Chicago
Public
Work
San Diego Unified Port District
Urban Tree I Project, A tree Frozen in Time
San Diego Unified Port District,
Urban Tree III Project, A Tree Under the Sea
San Diego Unified Port District,
Urban Tree IV Project, Not Seen, Not Heard, but
Felt
City of Beverly Hills, Parks & Rec. Dept
- Noah’s Ark Bench
Semi Public
Santa Monica Medical Plaza
Montefiore, Cleveland OH
Chabad of Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, CA
Education
Fairleigh Dickensen Univ. - BA Fine Arts
Palomar College – Glass program
Pilchuk Glass School – Various programs
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