Inspiring Glass Artist Richard Parrish

The teaching assistant for Catharine Newell's glass class at the Studio in Corning, NY was glass artist Richard Parrish (who was off to teach his own glass class at Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle WA after ours). Richard had been Catharine's teaching assistant before and fortunately their working relationship was great one. As students we benefitted the most from this combo because each artist was so dramatically different yet very stimulated by the other's art.

What on Earth? by Richard Parrish 2007 Kiln-formed and coldworked glass panel

Richard has moved on from a career in Architecture and has roots in Montana. Although often subtle or invisible Richard's work is very much informed by the figurative. The above series of work (which really resonate with topographical earth views) are my favorite. However, Richard also does architectural commissions, glass tapestries, studio productions plates. He sells some of these art pieces on Artnet if you are interested in purchasing one. While we were in class together my class mates and I were privileged to see Richard make some TESTS for future work and now you can be just as lucky too!

Check out these dimensional glass powder and kiln-formed tile- tests, in which Richard is investigating surface textures, colors relationships, dimension and landscapes!

Test1 (and my personal favorite)test2test3

The End of Glass Class

Ok so I fell off of the blogging bed and have struggled to get back up, and the clapper was of absolutely NO help!!! Luckily with a little rest and resuscitation under my belt I can now safely say that, I'm back! I have a gallery opening tonight that I will soon be posting about - but for now lets see the end of my glass class experience with instructor Catharine Newell at Corning NY.

The view of Corning from the pedestrian bridge on the way to class A dream kiln filled with my classwork...

Because of these hard economic times our class was incredibly small (we only had three students)! As any one who is familiar with education knows (super-small intimate classes such as this one can be a double-edged sword that cuts both ways, positive and negative. However, I ended up LOVING my classmates whose work and personalities couldn't have been more different than mine - Lynn Smith and Sue Hill. We were riding the same wave and trying to fully immerse ourselves in Catharine's high- concept manner of teaching powders. We also were charged with making a collaborative piece together. Each of our different styles lent greatly to this endeavor and we made one of the best pieces of the whole two weeks! We donated the completed piece to the Auction which raises funds for The Studio's scholarships.

Our student Collaboration piece in the kiln before its stacked and fused! We were also intrigued and deeply affected by the artwork created by our teaching assistant Richard Parrish whom I am looking forward to writing a post on next! One thing we all found we had in common was a deep penchant and appreciation for dessert. Sue's Notorious Dessert

Favorites at Corning

Well, I'm fortunate enough to be at glass class at The Studio again this year, and being taught by one of my all time favorite glass artist Catharine Newell whose course is entitled, A Particulate Language. While I'm here (and until January 3, 2010) Corning Museum of Glass is showing an AWESOME exhibit entitled Favorites From the Contemporary Glass Collection where they feature some of their most popular contempory works.

While You Were Sleeping by Christina Bothwell at Corning Museum of Glass

Above is one of my personal favorites from this exhibit- a piece by Christina Bothwell that employs ceramics raku, in addition to glass.

Omagh by Clifford Rainey at Corning Museum of Glass

Another exhibit that is happening while I'm here (and will be up until January 3rd, 2010) is Voices of Contemporary Glass: The Heineman Collection, which showcases more than 230 important works by 84 international artists. And since we're discussing favorites I just had to show this museum piece to the left entitled Omagh that is made but cast and cut ground glass by British b. Northern Ireland artist Clifford Rainey in 2001. This piece really resonates with me and even the work that I do.

As for my class, we have had our first two days and working with Catharine and our TA Richard Parrish has been intriguing and provocative to say the least.

Compared to past glass classes that I have taken, this a relatively small session (in terms of attending students) which is a special treat when considering community, attention, space and depth of focus. I will be sure to keep you abreast of our progress!

For anyone who has followed my work you will know that I am very interested in working with powdered glass to combine my illustrative passions with those I have for the medium of glass. Catharine Newell has been an artist whose work in powders has been very inspirational. If you don't know anything about this medium or process I urge you to watch this Youtube video on her and the process!