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Biography:
I was born in 1973 and grew up Marietta, Georgia. I distinctly remember as a child my grade school teachers asking why I chose to "draw and daydream" during class rather than pay attention. I didn't really have an answer at that time, but now I would say that's what I was interested in. I truly believe we should embrace children's interests and encourage them to really apply themselves to whatever talents they have been given.
I began to take an interest in lampworking in the mid 90's. I researched the field and found an accomplished artist who was willing to take on a student for one-on-one lessons. In 1997 I bought my first torch and the love affair with glass began. Unfortunately, I had allowed addictions to play a dominating role in my life and within a few years I had completely lost control of my life. In 2001 I gave my life over to Christ. As He began to grow in me my life began to change dramatically. I quit using drugs and started realizing that we are here for a bigger purpose. Shortly thereafter God brought an incredible woman into my life and we now live in Buford, Georgia and are now starting a family.
Creative process:
The term "lampworking" is used to describe the technique where a glass artist works over an open flame using a bench burner torch. A 2250 degree Fahrenheit flame is used to bring the glass to a molten state where the glass can be manipulated into creating glass artwork. The glass I use is most commonly known as Pyrex. Pyrex is really just a name brand that is produced by Corning but the technical name for the glass is borosilicate. There are many applications for borosilicate: glass art, sculpture, glass jewelry, laboratory equipment, aeronautical applications, marbles, paperweights, and more.
I use a variety of techniques to achieve the desired effects you see in my work. Some of these techniques include dichroic overlay, coil potting, cut flip, encalmo, trapping, fuming 24k and .999 pure silver, foil and leaf techniques, and sandblasting. I try to bridge the gap between ancient and modern glass blowing techniques. I have taken advanced workshops with accomplished artists Robert Mickelsen, Kevin O'Grady and Steven Hitt. Everyday is a learning experience. I have learned more from trial and error than all of the workshops combined. In addition to working as a full-time lampwork artist I also offer classes in various lampworking techniques. I am also working on a video series that will be available soon. If you're interested in classes please feel free to contact me.
I make a variety of items using borosilicate glass: high end glass sculpture, glass botanicals, glass jewelry, glass commissions, glass bracelets, wine goblets, hair accessories, glass beads, blown beads, faceted pendants, bridesmaid gifts, wedding cake toppers and more.
Inspiration:
There are so many different things that inspire me that it's hard to pinpoint one that outweighs another. The most obvious is of course nature. Most people recognize that as being an inspiration of mine right away as seen in my botanicals, cake toppers, sculpture and pendants. Secondly, my studio was located in an artist colony for a while and I always enjoyed looking at my friend Judy's raku pottery. It's seems to have had more of an influence on my focal beads than anything else. Thirdly, music tends to be inspirational when I'm working on sculpture. Most of my sculpture requires a lot of time and music tends to help keep me on track.
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