My assistant, David Schnuckel, and I arrived from Rochester, NY (home of the Rochester Institue of Technology’s School of American Craft) on Monday (the 25th) in Tacoma and were eagerly anticipating my residency at the Tacoma Museum of Glass. We checked in to the Marriott Hotel and, within our room, looked out the window to see the Museum of Glass as well as the peak of Mt. Ranier just behind it in the distance. On Tuesday we scoped out the surrounding area and adjusted to the time change by visiting local eateries, bookstores, antique shops, the Tacoma Art Museum and ended up at the Swiss…where Walter Lieberman (whom we met by chance) was kind enough to buy us a pitcher of beer and provide good company. Our previous visits to the local shops were to look for imagery from natural history to utilize as source materials inspiring several drawings which were brought to the Museum the following day to interpret into glass.

In the morning of our first day of the residency we were met at the Museum by Liz, the fabulous director of the visiting artist program of the Museum, who introduced us to their fantastic staff. After a brief introduction and explanation of what I hoped to accomplish during the residency we then immediatley hit the ground running in the studio. The goal of the first day was to make large bell-jar shapes with a somewhat tapered top, which were then pulled to a sharp point reminiscient of the shape of early light bulbs. These shapes were to be fitted upon a blown glass rondel where the lip curls up and, once sitting upon a flat surface, serves as a trough surrounding the beehive form. The ambition was to create a container referencing a beehive shape which will later contain solid, hot-worked natural forms (i.e. bees, bare trees and other forms inspired by images from natural history books). During the course of the day the Tacoma Museum of Glass’ excellent glassblowing team (Ben, Alex, Gabe and Lara) were able to complete seven large and complex shapes in the most comfortable, casual and efficient manner…the classic situation where extraordinary individuals make extraordinary accomplishments look decievingly effortless. It became very apparent to me that I was engaged in a tremendous and singular opportunity - that meaning I am being given five days of uninterrupted time within a state-of-the-art facility, with an extraordinarily talented team of highly skilled glassblowers and staff who can facilitate the physical rendering of my ideas within this mysterious material we love so much. Within my expereience in my career this has been the most generous opportunity I’ve recieved as an artist. I am highly looking forward to tomorrow and I sign off only to prepare drawings for tomorrow’s production.

p.s. I also would really like to thank Todd who worked expertly in his video documentation of the first day’s work…
as well as Justin who is the designer of this website and so kindly provided me my first experience as a blogger. What a great crew!!