|
My love of designing original glass art began with a gift of glass tools and the guidance of a dear friend who had learned the art of stained glass.
I continued to practice and read everything I could find about glass art and glass artists. I eventually came across the works of Dale Chihuly, Toots Zynsky, Rudi Gritsch, and Brad Walker and said “wow”. Then I devoured anything I could find to read about hot glass. I purchased a kiln and began experimenting, starting by simply slumping glass into vessels. Then I graduated to fusing and have developed expertise in many different kiln working techniques.
As I gained more experience I studied with Brad Walker, one of the foremost experts in hot glass, and with Jamie Harris at the world renowned Corning Museum of Art in New York. I am always looking to enhance my knowledge and skills.
I am inspired by just about anything around me… the colors of nature, water, even the texture of a glass of ice. I love bright colors and bold textures. I create by fusing various colors of glass—pieces of glass, glass frit, and glass powders. Each time I begin a new piece, I create something unique. Many times I improve upon the previous piece by enhancing the next one. I’m never satisfied and am always trying to get to the next level…and the levels never end.
It can take anywhere from several days to weeks to create each piece of art. I have developed a distinctive contemporary style. People are amazed at my work and that inspires me to do more unique pieces. I love to create items that people will enjoy in their homes, whether it is strictly for display or a platter, vase or bowl.
Many people had said that my work should be in a gallery. I met another artist who flipped over my creations and asked if I belonged to the Artists Guild of the Boca Raton Museum of Art. She encouraged me to apply to the Guild. In order to be accepted, you must have your work juried. I was accepted on the first try. One of my most exciting moments was when I opened the acceptance letter from the Boca Raton Museum saying, “You are now a professional artist.”
I look forward to creating and sharing many unique works of art with patrons of the galleries and juried shows which exhibit my works.
Michael Altheim
|
|
