Thomas Spake

My current work is an exploration of texture and pattern. By using unconventional techniques along with the inherent chemistry of the metal oxides that formulate the colored glass, I am able to create very complex patterns that imitate natural objects or landscapes. My simple forms and shapes are intended to act as a canvas for the glass scapes to inhabit.  After being blown, the pieces are engraved, carved, and sandblasted to remove layers of color and reveal the interior colors. My unique approach gives the work a tactile quality that offers the audience a treat for the eyes as well as the fingers, and with the blown vessels surface exposed, the soft glow of light is transmitted through the vessel, revealing the true nature of the material.