I am so impressed by this muti-talented artist. Jeanine Owen has an extremely creative spirit and it shows in every piece of art that she produces. Be it through paint or glass, Ondine Glass’ work will catch your eye. Have a good read in this fabulous interview!
Tell us about yourself and your work.
I live in NE Florida, not a long drive to the ocean. My business name is from the legend of Ondine, she was a water sprite. I am a vegetarian turning vegan this year. I’m 55 years old and have reached a point of honesty in my life, where I can’t ignore the exploitation of animals. In addition to my glass and lampwork, I’m pursuing my interest in painting and silversmithing techniques to frame my sculptural glass beads.
How did you start your artistic journey?
My art career began at Disney Theme Parks. I was employed as an artist demonstrator and sidewalk artist. I worked in reknowned locations such as Montmartre and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and in Tokyo, Japan. It was while working alongside talented glass blowers from Spain, that I discovered glass art. I also worked for a period at Disney manufacturing the scenes, props, and decorative displays for Epcot Center using plastic and fiberglass mediums.
Have you had formal training, or are you completely self-taught?
I studied at a glass school in southern New Jersey and hold a degree in glass chemistry & technology and an associate in science. Working in the industrial glass field I learned to form objects from glass tubing, both by hand and on a glass lathe. Part time work as a beadmaker opened a new door into the world of art glass. I also studied hot glass/furnace work with japanese glassblowers while living in Tokyo. I’ve embraced the entire range from laboratory to art glass, test tubes to paperweights, bottles, beads, and marbles. My interest in art and glass continues. I feel I learn the most from experimenting in my glass shop.
I expand my knowledge with workshops in glass as well as portraiture from notable artists such as Loren Stump and Paul Stankard along with dvds , tutorials, reading forums and youtube videos. I believe self taught works well for me, but enjoy the exposure and new skills learned in workshops. Most recently I took a class in classical oil portraiture in NYC from Marvin Mattelson at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. I’ve wanted to return to college to continue my interrupted art studies many times for a degree in fine art, but find the workshops and adult classes more suitable to my age and lifestyle. I may continue studies and earn a fine art degree online one day if circumstances permit. My mother was a sculptor and a painter. She always encouraged creative energy and ideas.
What inspires you? Do you have any charities that you support with your art?
I have many favorite artists, but to name only a few, Diana East, Dinah Hulet, Loren Stump and Kristen Frantzen Orr. I admire many of the Japanese glass beadmakers, as well as their textiles and attention to detail in all art forms. In painters I admire a wide range from the classical portraiture of Sir Anthony Van Dyke to the abstract expressionist Willem de Kooning. In sculpture I love the work of August Rodin, Constantine Brancusi and, of course, the impressionists. The portaits by Talousse LaTrec are among my favorites. A visit to an art museum is usually an uplifting and spiritual experience for me.
I was featured in a newsletter by Alleycat Allies because I raised money for homeless cats with an ocassional ebay charity auction. I joined the Etsy For Animals Team and will be donating some beads to a charity fundraiser coming up in March. While I support many causes, I feel I can help most by supporting the charities in my own neighborhood, especially the strays or homeless on my own street. I do what I’m able and I wish I could do more. This year I plan to go vegan in an effort to stop exploiting animals.
Do you have a favorite piece or collection of work?
When I am tired of making simple beads, my mind relaxes by creating a cat bead. Maybe it’s because I have 5 cats and the face is a familiar one. My pets were all strays adopted from the neighborhood and spayed or neutered. I also enjoy making a racoon or an opossum, my “Park After Dark” necklace includes all of my favorite night animals… opossum, cat, and racoon.
What direction do you plan to take your work ?
This year I hope to widen my market and improve my product overall. Recently I purchased new beautiful bead presses (which I think are pieces of art in themselves) to produce more contemporary, current, and wearable beads to sell and accompany my sculptural beads. I’m working on a jewelry design for my sculptural beads, something that can be put on and worn immediately and comfortably. I am teaching myself some silversmithing techniques from online sources, tutorials, and books. The Etsy community has inspired me with shops of fine arts and crafts, and has motivated me to raise my own standard. I’m looking at the possiblity of publishing a brief tutorial for beadmakers on my own sculptural glass bead methods. I’m currently working to improve my personal website. I’m also experimenting with some of the new silver glasses being produced for lampworking. I have a stash of 1920’s vintage glass to include vaseline and milk glass. I plan to make them into beautiful beads for springtime.
~
Ondine Glass has been featured in the Lark Books Publications, 1000 Glass Beads and is a regular artist at Pismo Fine Art Glass, owner Sandy Sardella.
See the fabulous work of Ondine Glass at these websites:
http://www.ondineglass.com
http://www.ondineglass.etsy.com
Tags:
artist,
feature,
glass,
interview,
painting
Adobe Sol Designs Blog. Created by Rebecca Bogan of New Mexico, the 505.
