Carol Houk
Carol pulling molten glass rods out of the vitrigraph kiln.
Most people take glass for granted since it’s pretty much everywhere you look. But this common material made from sand is truly a magical medium. It can be your friend, giving you the opportunity to create beautiful works of art; or it can be your enemy, not performing to expectations and wounding in the process. I use a variety of glass transformation techniques in my work. I cut, grind, kiln form, mold and flame sculpt glass to give a wide range of effects. Inspiration comes from all around me, but mostly I just like to play and experiment with new techniques. Of late my attention has turned to painting with glass to create landscapes, and portraits of animals, people, and flowers. Using glass, if I don’t like something I’ve made, I can melt it down and transform it into something else.
I was not trained as an artist. While I took a few art classes in high school and college, my real love was always science. I have a Ph,D. in Chemistry with a strong focus in Materials Science, and most of my career was spent in the high tech industry. I always thought of art as a leisurely activity and hobby, not as a serious career focus. But, I've since learned that art takes a lot of focus, as well as discipline, exploration, and a spark of creativity. Early in my artistic endeavors I thought I could figure out how to do most anything on my own with no formal training. But now I know taking a class here and there can really increase the potential for creativity. In the past couple of years I've been taking online classes from Tim Carey, Narcissus Quagliata and Ted Sawyer, who are masters in the world of glass art. They have pushed me in directions I never would have gone on my own.
I was not trained as an artist. While I took a few art classes in high school and college, my real love was always science. I have a Ph,D. in Chemistry with a strong focus in Materials Science, and most of my career was spent in the high tech industry. I always thought of art as a leisurely activity and hobby, not as a serious career focus. But, I've since learned that art takes a lot of focus, as well as discipline, exploration, and a spark of creativity. Early in my artistic endeavors I thought I could figure out how to do most anything on my own with no formal training. But now I know taking a class here and there can really increase the potential for creativity. In the past couple of years I've been taking online classes from Tim Carey, Narcissus Quagliata and Ted Sawyer, who are masters in the world of glass art. They have pushed me in directions I never would have gone on my own.
