Gals of Glazz - Episode Three - Clare Wilson!

 Today I am going to introduce you to one of my very good friends, who I like to call Wilson. Clare Wilson is a UK lady who came over to do the associateship at the Jam the same time as me. She has seen me at my worst and she has seen me at my best (sometimes the two combine, thank you gate 8 party...), she has also documented these times and there are quite a few dodgy photos of me in her stash. We worked so hard for those two years and there were times where I'm sure we wanted to throttle each other but we managed to come out the other side, better friends than ever. I've stayed with her family, she has sent me care packages in Scotland when I was on my residency (new t-shirts and snacks!! Bliss for dirty, tired glass blowers), we went to Pilchuck at the same time and were roomies ( i was an absolute filth wizzard, she actually made my bed for me one day!! Her side of the room was a picture of perfection, mine looked like a hobo had been living there for weeks complete with half eaten toast in the bed and piles of clothes ala suitcase explosion)   

(in the magic cup challenge she watched me make a cup with a chicken leg as my only tool and she had a cyinder block) then travelled together in New York. Actually the more I think about it, Wilson took care of me quite alot! She has one of the biggest hearts out there. Clare now resides back in the Uk and is missed by her Aussie glass family, so here you go, meet Clare Wilson,

Gals of Glazz

Tune in for 10

1. Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Clare Wilson, I am originally from Portsmouth, England, I studied Glass at the Edinburgh College of Art from 2004 - 2007 and this is where I am currently based. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the JamFactory associate training program from 2008 - 2009. I love working with glass and I draw a lot of my inspiration from just working with the material, learning new processes and techniques is what will drive me to make new work. I also work part time in a kid’s café… I’m not sure why.

2. What do you make? 

I have a few ranges of production glass including vases, bowls and paperweights; they all include some form of cane or murrine. I suppose the fact that these techniques are frequently cropping up in my production glass is what has lead me to work on a larger and more involved body work. The series I am working on is quite simply named ‘Cane Studies’, it allows me to explore and experiment working with cane and murrine, combining the two techniques and creating layers within the glass to achieve an extensive depth of pattern.

3. Why do you make? 

I love working with glass, I actually get really cranky when I’m not working with glass, which is something I have realised over the last few months. It is my creative output and although I would deem myself relatively good at quite a few things, I feel that my best skill is glass blowing, I am not by any means saying that I am the best just that it is the skill I am most satisfied with. I enjoy working with other materials but I find that the glass really challenges me, all the processes and techniques that you have to perfect just to blow a good bubble! I guess that’s why I make… I have found a material that pushes me in every way and I love it.

4. What’s you colour palette? 

Monotone. White, Grey and Black. I used to work with a lot of colour and I got really fed up with it so I pulled right back to the basics and simplified, I work with cane so it is also a technical consideration, with white being a very stiff colour it makes the best cane. I’m pleased with the results so far I have produced some beautiful, simple and subtle pieces.

5.     What’s your proudest achievement? 

Attending the Jamfactory, that was huge and has shaped the way I think about and make glass, I think being a finalist in the Ranamok Glass Prize was a pretty proud moment and just being able to continuously push forward in my practice and stay on track every day.

6. Hot or Cold? 

 Hot, Hot, Hot.

7. What’s your dream project? 

At this point in time it would be designing and making a super sharp looking home wares range, I really want to start making jars and food storage, things for the kitchen as well as a range of lighting all using cane. A massive outdoor glass installation that incorporates cane and light is also a bit of a dream project but I think that one is for later.

8.     What’s your influences? 

I always struggle with this question when I’m asked it. Very rarely do I see something and say ‘I’m going to make that in glass’. I would say I am influenced by the techniques I learn and by processes I see in action, I like to learn and absorb as much as I can and then bring all this knowledge into my work. I like to look at my surroundings, mundane as they may sometimes be and take a pattern from a pavement or a spider web or brickwork as inspiration.

9. What’s coming up for you? Or what are you looking forward to? 

I have three shows coming up in the UK over the Christmas period. A selling show at the Park Gallery in Fife, Scotland, the Contemporary Glass Society showcase at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland and finally a show I am super excited about called ‘Selected’ at the Dovecot Gallery in Edinburgh, Scotland. Its application season right now, so I am plotting and planning for 2016, I am also hoping to apply to study for my MFA next year.

10. If you could only eat 3 foods for the rest of your life what would they be? 

Sushi, eggs and pineapple.

Thank you Wilson!! xxxx

(And thank you for making my bed that time....)

Gals of Glazz - Episode 2

Hello! Welcome to the second episode of Gals of Glazz!! This lil project has had such a good response. I think it could be the beginning of something amazing! Maybe we could get this little thing into a real live printed publication? With matching badges for every gal member? Maybe we could have an exhibition? The options are growing everyday!! (I think about it all the time, just last week I was daydreaming about gals of glazz while I was heating at the glory hole and almost lost my piece...! THATS how excited I am about this project. )

In the beginning I guess I was just focusing on my mates but then the ball started to roll and why stop there? Why not cast the net further and see how far it can reach? I want gals of glazz to be a representation of artists at all different points in their careers. The students, the newbies, the ladies who have been paving the way, the ladies who have been there from the beginning.  So today I want to introduce you to a lady who is workin hard up in Canberra and reigns from all the way from the U.S of A, Kristi Totoritis. Kristi make some seriously fantastic work. I love how personal it is for her and I love her colour palette.

Gals of Glazz

Tune in for 10

1.             Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Kristi Totoritis (& by the production name of heartcoreglass) and I hail from San Diego, California in the United States. I am an artist that works mostly in the medium of glass, painting and print media. I also make heaps of jewellery. Currently I am a MVA Candidate at the ANU in Canberra, Australia.

 2.                     What do you make?

I make contemporary vanitas. I focus on things that remind us of our mortality and speak of vanity and self-reflection.  These things are often inspired by the way different cultures deal with this these issues through ceremony and religion. (for example: catacombs, bodily adornment such as tattoos and jewellery, burial, dia de los muertos, witchcraft, burial, marriage..)

On the production side of things I like to make tableware and jewellery.

3.             Why do you make?

Because I have to. It’s in my bones. I’ve been drawing and painting since I was about 3. My Nana taught me how to oil paint at about 4. I get super cranky if I’m not making. It’s like personal therapy and creating something to be remembered by all at the same time.

Also, growing up, everything around me was hand made – my Mom would sew my clothes and all the throw pillows and curtains and things in the house, all the art on my walls was made by my Nana, my Step Dad would build special custom cabinets for our fish tank... Doing it yourself just seemed like the right thing to do.

     4.             What’s you colour palette?

It’s kind of like a 14 punk rock teenagers taste. I love black, and I love pink. And I love black and pink together.  I lean towards those nostalgic vintage pastel colours and pair them with harsh black. When it comes to glass I almost always go opaque. It’s so much richer feeling to me.

5.             What’s your proudest achievement?

That’s a hard call. Taking on my masters and traveling all the way to the other side of the world to do it and go to my dream school is definitely up there.  But it’s a close tie with being on the inaugural team at the Chrysler Museum of Art Glass Studio. That place and those people have my heart. Forevsies.

      6.             Hot or Cold?

Hot and then cold and then hot and then cold and then warm and then cold.  I like to prep stuff before I bring it in the hotshop cold, and then cold work it once I’ve made it hot. And then sometimes throw it back in a kiln again.

 

7.             What’s your dream project?

My little sister is going to uni at NYU for hotel management. One day, I hope she owns some baller resort somewhere magical and we will design and decorate the whole thing together. And I would make chandeliers and neon signs and paintings for it. And it would be wonderful. My sister, Stephanie has fantastic taste in fashion and art. And she’s also a killer photographer. I really want to collaborate with her some day.

8.             What’s your influences?

Tattoos. Surfing. Skatebording. Punk rock. Almost dying in an insane car accident at 17.  Being a child of divorce, and growing up on opposite sides of the country because of that.

People wise, my first glassblowing teacher Nanda Soderberg, My first kiln casting teacher Sayaka Suzuki, Silvia Levenson, Mike Giant, The De La Torre Brothers, John Drury, Tara McPhearson, and Charlotte Potter my old boss and close friend.

9.             What’s coming up for you? Or what are you looking forward to?

GRADUATING WITH MY MASTERS! I’m one semester away! Then I’m just excited to see what happens next – wether it be staying in Australia and moving to Adelaide or something or going back home to my Chrysler family in Norfolk, VA.

10.         If you could only eat 3 foods for the rest of your life what would they be?

Pizza, broccoli and pineapple.

Thank you so much Kristi for taking the time to share your practice with us. (Also I'm pretty sure you could combine your three fav foods on one pizza and choose another two things, score!)

Gals of Glazz - episode 1

Hi there and welcome to my latest hair brained scheme! Well, not really hair brained, maybe new 'project' is a better word? It's called "Gals of Glazz". I know so many talented lady glass makers I wanted to do a little promo for them. I always love reading about other artists and seeing what they are up to (nosey I know) so I thought it would be fun to launch my own little project. It's also kinda nice to have a new thing to work on just for the fun of it. Each week I am going to feature a glassy gal on here and my fb page. I'm interested to see how many I can get! The more and more I think about it, I realise how many amazing women I know. I started off at home but turns out I actually know quite a few overseas lady makers too! So stay tuned for locals and a few overseas makers too. (I kinda then hatched the idea that the end goal might be I would like to try and get it published in print form....we will see...)

So here goes, the very first instalment of "Gals of Glazz".

My first lady that I would like to introduce you to is my good friend George Agius. Well know for her almost edible pieces, think doughnuts, plums and pears, fairy sprinkles... Georgie makes incredible art and has also assisted me to make my work. I love her work! I met Georgie how I met many of these talented broads, at the Jam in Adelaide. Like me, George went through as an associate. The kinds of works George makes are bright and beautiful, takes lots of her inspiration from family and food. One of my favourite pieces of hers are her incredible egg glasses! Oh and her pineapple pieces! So here we go have a read, and get to know our first gal of glazz, George Agius.

Gals of Glazz

Tune in for 10

1.             Who are you and what do you do?

My name is George Agius and I am a glass artist originally from New Zealand but now based in Adelaide. I came to Adelaide to partake in the two-year training program at the JamFactory and have made this city my home. In my work memory, heritage and ancestry are explored and I aim to display these narratives in a way that is familiar and yet unsettling to the viewer to evoke the awareness of the absent figure. Through glass objects I aim to conjure contemplative nostalgia in the viewer.

2.             What do you make?

My production work stems from my artistic practice. I make small sculptures like Christmas Puddings, Pears and Plums and Ice Cream cups. In terms of my art works they are increasingly becoming more personal and tend to be related to objects that stimulate memory and result in a whimsical aesthetic (think table settings, family imagery, hot water bottles and food).

3.             Why do you make?

Tough question. I guess I love coming up with a concept and the entire process that comes with creating, drawing, research, experimentation and finally seeing your idea come to fruition. It is very satisfying for the soul.

4.             What’s you colour palette?

Whatever suits the design or concept…I tend to use a lot of opaque colours rather than transparent’s.

5.             What’s your proudest achievement?

Mmmm I guess it was creating my work “Whanau: A Breakfast for Ancestors” and watching my usually quite emotionally controlled Mother become overwhelmed, it was a special moment for me.

6.             Hot or Cold?

The hotter the better.

7.             What’s your dream project?

To create an artwork for a major Australian or international gallery is the dream for me…nothing like dreaming big right?

8.             What’s your influences?

Family and memories are what influence my work; more specifically my Grandmother and Mum, their stories, our cultural heritage and of course their cooking.

9.             What’s coming up for you? Or what are you looking forward to?

I have my first solo show next year which I am super pumped about.

I am also going home to New Zealand for Christmas with the family where I plan on raiding the photo albums and family archives for inspiration for my show…as well as having a good G and T with my Mum on the deck whilst we natter and watch the lambs frolicking in the paddocks below.

10.         If you could only eat 3 foods for the rest of your life what would they be?

Sushi, Mums chocolate chip cookies and pineapples.

Thanks so much Georgie! Can't wait to see what you come up with for your solo! If you wanna check out more of George's work head to her sweet web site which you can click on here .