Rob Adamson
Passion for nature inspires creativity.
Rob Adamson, glassblower and owner of Island Art Glass, shares their experiences of traveling to different places, including Colombia, and how the vibrant colors and natural beauty of these locations have influenced their work as a glassblower. They mention being amazed by the kindness and willingness of the Colombians to teach them about their farming practices and craft of weaving. The person also describes the diverse wildlife and natural landscapes they encountered, such as colorful birds and large swamps filled with flamingos.
The individual's passion for nature is evident in their artistic process. They mention taking photographs of leaves, flowers, and plants, which they later study and use as inspiration for their work. They also mention working in teams with other glassblowers, who they consider as skilled or even better than themselves. This collaborative effort allows them to create beautiful pieces that reflect their shared passion for nature.
The conversation also touches on the importance of technology in capturing the beauty of nature. Rob mentions how having an iPhone with thousands of plant photographs allows them to study and draw inspiration from these images. They also mention using sketchbooks and experimenting with different techniques to further explore their creativity.
The podcast reveals that the individual had another business before starting Island Art Glass. They became involved with a glassblowing co-op in Seattle, where they met Fritz Streisbach, who became their first teacher. Through their involvement with the co-op and the Pilchuck Glass School, they had the opportunity to learn from experienced glassblowers from around the world, particularly from Italy.
The podcast highlights how a passion for nature can inspire creativity. Rob’s experiences of traveling to different places, encountering vibrant colors, diverse wildlife, and natural landscapes have deeply influenced their work as a glassblower. They draw inspiration from nature by taking photographs, studying plants, and collaborating with other artists. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of learning from experienced individuals and being part of a creative community.
Glassblowing is a creative dance.
Glassblowing is a creative dance. This statement encapsulates the essence of the art form and the passion behind it. The podcast explores the world of glassblowing and the inspiration that nature provides to the artist. Through the conversation, we learn about the artist's experiences and how they translate their love for the outdoors into their glassblowing creations.
The podcast begins with a discussion about the artist's visit to Venice, Italy, and their fascination with the glassblowing scene there. They mention visiting the island of Murano, known for its glassmaking tradition. This experience served as a source of inspiration for the artist, as they were able to witness the skill and craftsmanship of the glassblowers firsthand.
The conversation then shifts to the artist's own work and how it is influenced by the outdoors. They express a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of Washington state, where they reside, as well as their home state of Maine. They describe these places as "very pretty" and express a love for nature. This love for the outdoors is evident in their glassblowing pieces, which often incorporate greenery and elements found in nature, such as cattails and flowers.
The artist explains that glassblowing is not just a meditative practice but also a dance. They describe it as a collaborative process, where they work with other talented individuals who share their passion. The artist emphasizes the freedom and creativity that glassblowing allows, stating that anything they can draw or imagine can be brought to life in glass.
The podcast also introduces the artist's team, consisting of individuals who have dedicated themselves to mastering the art of glassblowing. Each member of the team brings their own unique skills and talents to the table. The artist speaks highly of their team members, praising their technical expertise and sense of humor. They describe their collaborations as a "cartoon series," where humor often finds its way into the glassblowing pieces they create.
The artist's wife is also involved in glass art, serving as a designer and providing valuable input. The artist acknowledges their wife's artistic abilities, stating that she can draw better than they can and has a keen sense of color. Their partnership spans over 50 years, and the artist credits their wife for being with them from the beginning of their glassblowing journey.
The podcast delves into the artist's background, revealing that they were born in Spokane, Washington, and had a strong connection to the outdoors from a young age. They express a desire to pursue art, inspired by their sister who was a talented potter. This early exposure to art set them on a path towards glassblowing, and they have never looked back since.
The conversation then touches upon the artist's transition from Seattle to Whidbey Island. They recount their journey, starting with the establishment of their glassblowing business in the Pike Place Market and its subsequent growth. Eventually, they sold the business and decided to settle on Whidbey Island, where they built a studio and continued their glassblowing practice. This move allowed them to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and embrace the beauty of their surroundings.
The artist's love for the outdoors serves as a constant source of inspiration for their work. They draw from their experiences of traveling to different places, encountering vibrant colors, diverse wildlife, and natural landscapes. Through their glassblowing creations, they aim to capture the essence of nature and share it with others. The podcast also emphasizes the importance of collaboration and learning from experienced individuals within the glassblowing community.
Meditation and nature inspire creativity.
Meditation and nature are two powerful forces that have the ability to inspire creativity. This is evident in the world of glassblowing, as highlighted in the podcast. The artist, who is deeply connected to nature, finds solace and inspiration in the natural world around them.
The artist's property is surrounded by wetlands, ponds, and streams, creating an ideal environment for their work. The beauty and tranquility of nature serve as a backdrop for their creative process. The artist's love for nature is evident in their property, which includes converted barns and a tea house, all built using natural materials such as cedar wood.
The artist's journey into meditation started when their spouse introduced them to the practice. They soon realized that glassblowing itself was a form of meditation. The process of working with glass requires focus, concentration, and a calm state of mind. The artist found that glassblowing and meditation complemented each other, creating a harmonious balance in their life.
The artist's meditation practice not only enhances their glassblowing skills but also influences their creative process. Meditation allows them to tap into their inner creativity, helping them to connect with their intuition and find inspiration for their work. It provides them with a calm and joyful state of mind, which is essential for the artistic process.
Nature plays a significant role in the artist's work. They draw inspiration from the natural world, using it as a muse for their glassblowing creations. The artist believes that nature does it best when it comes to colors, ideas, and designs. They observe and experience the beauty of nature, capturing its essence in their glass pieces.
One notable project mentioned in the podcast is the creation of 200 glass pieces for a building in Seattle. The client wanted the entrance of the building to evoke a sense of being in nature. Drawing from their deep connection with the natural world, the artist created pieces that brought the beauty of nature indoors. Through their glassblowing skills and their meditation practice, they were able to capture the essence of nature and create a space that made people feel connected to the outdoors.
In conclusion, the podcast highlights how meditation and nature inspire creativity in the world of glassblowing. The artist's deep connection to nature serves as a constant source of inspiration for their work. Through their meditation practice, they are able to tap into their inner creativity and find inspiration for their glassblowing creations. The artist's work reflects the beauty and tranquility of nature, capturing its essence and sharing it with others. The combination of meditation and nature serves as a powerful catalyst for creativity in the world of glassblowing.
Custom glass art, nature-inspired designs.
Custom glass art is a unique form of artistic expression that combines the beauty of nature with the creativity of the artist. In a podcast about custom glass art, the artist discusses their inspiration and creative process, highlighting their nature-inspired designs.
The artist begins by describing a specific project in Seattle, where they were tasked with creating a piece of art that reflected nature. The area dedicated to plants and water off buildings showcased the importance of sustainability and the connection between humans and the natural world. The artist wanted to create something that would be a main piece of the entry and capture the essence of nature.
To achieve this, the artist designed a piece with 250 pieces of glass, incorporating flowers, leaves, and cattails. The result was a stunning representation of nature that provided color and beauty without the need for maintenance or watering. This project exemplifies the challenges the artist faces when creating custom pieces that meet the desires of their clients.
The artist also discusses the Broken Fence Series, which presents a different challenge. These blown glass pieces feature imagery inspired by photographs. Translating the image in their mind onto the glass requires careful consideration of colors and layers to achieve the desired effect. This process is akin to creating a painting, with the artist building layers of color to bring the image to life.
Throughout the podcast, the artist emphasizes the importance of nature as a source of inspiration. They mention how their pieces can be placed in gardens, providing color year-round and complementing real flowers. The artist's work aims to capture the beauty of nature and bring it into people's lives, whether indoors or outdoors.
In terms of distribution, the artist used to showcase their work in galleries across the country. However, they have since pulled back and now prefer to sell most of their work themselves. By doing so, they can offer their pieces at affordable prices, ranging from $5 to several thousand dollars. This shift in approach reflects the changing art scene and the artist's desire to make their work accessible to a wider audience.
Overall, the podcast sheds light on the world of custom glass art and the nature-inspired designs created by the artist. Through their deep connection to nature and their meditation practice, the artist finds inspiration for their work and translates it into stunning glass pieces. Their commitment to creating affordable art that captures the beauty of nature demonstrates their dedication to sharing their creativity with others. Custom glass art, with its nature-inspired designs, serves as a testament to the power of creativity and the beauty of the natural world.
Embrace change, enjoy the process.
In the podcast, the artist emphasizes the importance of embracing change and enjoying the creative process. They express their preference for constantly moving and designing, rather than being stuck making the same thing over and over again. They share a story about a friend who was successful in selling sculptures for a high price, but when they wanted to explore painting, their gallery refused to showcase their new work. This experience highlights the limitations that artists can face when they become known for a specific style or medium.
The artist, however, is determined to keep changing and doing what they want to do, regardless of the opinions of galleries or the need for fame. They prioritize their own enjoyment and love for their craft over external validation. This mindset allows them to continuously evolve and explore new techniques and ideas. They acknowledge that techniques are important and take years to master, but they also emphasize the need for creativity and new inspirations to drive the artistic process.
The artist's team plays a significant role in their creative direction. They value the input and ideas of their assistants, recognizing that collaboration and different perspectives can lead to innovative and unique designs. They believe that techniques should not limit their work and that they should always strive to move beyond what they have already learned.
When asked why they continue to pursue their craft in Washington, the artist reflects on their early days in the glassblowing community. Despite being told that glassblowing was a dying art and that ceramics would be a more viable creative path, the artist believed that Seattle would become a center for glassblowing. Their prediction proved true, with the establishment of the Pilchuck Glass School and the growth of the glassblowing community in the region. The artist's commitment to teaching and sharing their knowledge also played a role in their decision to stay in Washington.
The podcast overall conveys the message of embracing change and enjoying the creative process. The artist's determination to keep evolving and exploring new ideas serves as an inspiration for other artists. They demonstrate the importance of prioritizing personal enjoyment and passion over external validation and the need to conform to a specific style or medium. By constantly learning and challenging themselves, the artist exemplifies the transformative power of embracing change and the joy that comes from the creative process.
Passing on knowledge to future artists.
One of the key themes that emerges from the podcast is the importance of passing on knowledge to future artists. The artist, Rob, emphasizes the significance of teaching and nurturing young artists, recognizing that they are the future of the art form. He recounts his own experiences of being taught by dedicated teachers and the impact they had on his own development as an artist.
Rob's commitment to teaching is evident in his studio, where he always keeps an open space for students to learn and explore. He has taught over 200 kids to blow glass, a skill that he himself learned from his own teachers. This passing on of knowledge and skills ensures that the art form continues to thrive and evolve, as new generations of artists bring their own perspectives and ideas to the medium.
The artist's belief in the importance of teaching is rooted in his own experiences as both a teacher and a student. After serving in the Peace Corps, Rob became a teacher himself, imparting his knowledge and passion for art to his students. This experience further solidified his belief in the power of education and the transformative impact it can have on young artists.
Through his dedication to teaching, Rob recognizes that he is contributing to the future of glass blowing. By sharing his expertise and nurturing the talents of young artists, he ensures that the art form will continue to thrive and evolve. He understands that the success of the medium relies on the passion and skill of future generations, and he is committed to passing on his knowledge to ensure its longevity.
Overall, the podcast highlights the importance of passing on knowledge to future artists. Rob's commitment to teaching and nurturing young artists exemplifies the transformative power of education and the impact it can have on the future of an art form. By prioritizing the development and growth of young artists, Rob ensures that the art of glass blowing will continue to flourish and evolve for years to come.
All images were taken by Zach St. Ward.