Delphi Glass Merchant Deal Feed
If you could use only one color for your art glass creations, what would it be?...
If you could use only one color for your art glass creations, what would it be? And is there a specific reason why?
Aug 15, 2012
+0
ZN Stained Glass: Capturing Creativity
Think of it this way: you're attempting to capture something that doesn't actually exist. A mythical creature that can change shape, even meaning at any given time; and you're expected to do it, again and again, over and over, til the end of time. Sounds all kinds of easy, right? It's actually about as easy as it sounds.
Creativity is the mythical creature, I'm the person that's supposed to capture it. That's my life as an artist. More specifically, a stained glass artist. My love of glass started at a very young age--the exact age doesn't matter--but I know I was short enough to be patted on the top of my curly head by hundreds of people while they called me "small boy" since I was too painfully shy to introduce myself. I was dragged through hundreds of cathedrals and museums here and abroad. I saw the works of the "masters" in every gallery but no Picasso or Giacometti or Degas ever related to me the way stained glass did. There was just something about the interaction of the windows with their environment and the way it played with light and its surroundings that made me fall in love.
So, how does one capture creativity? Patience is a great starting point. Noticing everything is another. Sometimes it's an extraordinary detail from an ordinary activity that can inspire a great series of work. It can be a voice or laugh you heard, the way the light filters through the same tree you've seen every morning. It can be a new friend you've found but never met. a metal gate. Repetition of shadows and light while driving down a wooded country road. architecture. Places you've visited. The list is endless, it just has to be noticed.
I’ve never had much luck with simply forcing "work" out. I need a purpose or reason to be in the studio in the first place or I, just like a lot of the rest of you, get easily distracted by facebook, re-organizing studio stuff or other types of general avoidance that only leads to nothing but slacking off. This is the "black-hole" for creativity. at least in my case.
I have a few other tricks too: I carry a camera with me everywhere I go. I have a tiny pocket-sized notebook for doodles, "important" lines to save, or notes or phrases that for some reason, I found to be utterly outstanding at that point in time. Sometimes all of this turns into nothing. Other times, even an old note can re-ring a bell and start a whole new round of ideas when I get stuck. I need these extra tools for my glass work because, quite frankly, there's too many "points of interest" in a single day for the human mind to comprehend, even if your day consists of the same drive to the same office for the same job, day after day after day. Even in a world of monotony, there is always something new, you just gotta find it and what it means to you. So, my advice is: pay attention. Notice the smallest details and trust the process. Forcing work creates forced work, giving ideas time to breathe & grow leads to masterpieces.
Check in next time when Zachary expands on the creative life cycle of his series of stylized wildflower panels. In the meantime, check out his other amazing pieces on his
Aug 10, 2012
+0
ZN Stained Glass: Capturing Creativity
Think of it this way: you're attempting to capture something that doesn't actually exist. A mythical creature that can change shape, even meaning at any given time; and you're expected to do it, again and again, over and over, til the end of time. Sounds all kinds of easy, right? It's actually about as easy as it sounds.
Creativity is the mythical creature, I'm the person that's supposed to capture it. That's my life as an artist. More specifically, a stained glass artist. My love of glass started at a very young age--the exact age doesn't matter--but I know I was short enough to be patted on the top of my curly head by hundreds of people while they called me "small boy" since I was too painfully shy to introduce myself. I was dragged through hundreds of cathedrals and museums here and abroad. I saw the works of the "masters" in every gallery but no Picasso or Giacometti or Degas ever related to me the way stained glass did. There was just something about the interaction of the windows with their environment and the way it played with light and its surroundings that made me fall in love.
So, how does one capture creativity? Patience is a great starting point. Noticing everything is another. Sometimes it's an extraordinary detail from an ordinary activity that can inspire a great series of work. It can be a voice or laugh you heard, the way the light filters through the same tree you've seen every morning. It can be a new friend you've found but never met. a metal gate. Repetition of shadows and light while driving down a wooded country road. architecture. Places you've visited. The list is endless, it just has to be noticed.
I’ve never had much luck with simply forcing "work" out. I need a purpose or reason to be in the studio in the first place or I, just like a lot of the rest of you, get easily distracted by facebook, re-organizing studio stuff or other types of general avoidance that only leads to nothing but slacking off. This is the "black-hole" for creativity. at least in my case.
I have a few other tricks too: I carry a camera with me everywhere I go. I have a tiny pocket-sized notebook for doodles, "important" lines to save, or notes or phrases that for some reason, I found to be utterly outstanding at that point in time. Sometimes all of this turns into nothing. Other times, even an old note can re-ring a bell and start a whole new round of ideas when I get stuck. I need these extra tools for my glass work because, quite frankly, there's too many "points of interest" in a single day for the human mind to comprehend, even if your day consists of the same drive to the same office for the same job, day after day after day. Even in a world of monotony, there is always something new, you just gotta find it and what it means to you. So, my advice is: pay attention. Notice the smallest details and trust the process. Forcing work creates forced work, giving ideas time to breathe & grow leads to masterpieces.
Check in next time when Zachary expands on the creative life cycle of his series of stylized wildflower panels. In the meantime, check out his other amazing pieces on his
Aug 10, 2012
+0
Celebrating Innovations in Art Glass
Delphi’s 40th Year Anniversary is quickly approaching, which will be commemorated with the release of the 2012 Annual Catalog. Our constant commitment to making art glass accessible to everyone by providing the largest selection of supplies and art glass has truly made us innovators.
One of the ways we stay on the cutting edge is to bring tools and products that enable the process of creating to become enjoyable and rewarding for everyone. This month we are featuring two of our vendors whose products support the mission of Delphi and embody innovation.
We recently caught up with the President of
We recently caught up with the President of
Jul 31, 2012
+0
Who have you influenced to become a glass artist?
Who have you influenced to become a glass artist?
Jul 31, 2012
+0
Suggested fan question- Any tips on making money creating art glass or is it str...
Suggested fan question- Any tips on making money creating art glass or is it strictly a hobby aka passion?
Thanks Alysa for the great question.
Jul 30, 2012
+0
What was the longest amount of time you spent working on a single piece?
What was the longest amount of time you spent working on a single piece?
Jul 26, 2012
+0
Does the glass you fall in love with inspire a project, or do you find/create a...
Does the glass you fall in love with inspire a project, or do you find/create a pattern and pick glass to use for it?
Jul 25, 2012
+0
How would your friends describe the style of your art glass creations?
How would your friends describe the style of your art glass creations?
Jul 24, 2012
+0