kevin o'grady
I am an independent glass artist who works borosilicate glass rods over an open flame. Borosilicate is a very strong and durable glass making it the perfect material for wearable art. My inspiration for colors and designs come from nature and the special challenge of my medium.
After seeing the world below the surface of the sea in the Florida Keys, my work took on a new vision. The colors, the movement, and the depth of the undersea vision made me realize the connection between my world of glass and this dazzling world of nature.
When we first look at glass, we see a solid; static, with no movement. My work strives to show the true liquid nature of glass for it is truly a liquid at higher temperatures. I always look to achieve the same life, depth, and movement in my work that I feel in the natural world.
The colors you see are pure gold and silver fumed onto the glass. It is the combination of the pure metals behind cobalt and metal oxides that produce the vivid reflective hues.
Some of my pieces feature flowers, coral, and sea-anemone like components that are actually miniature pictures in glass, called murrine, all of which I make in the ancient Italian tradition. All of my work is signed and dated with my signature murrine as well.
In 1987 I apprenticed with a master jeweler in New Mexico. I learned to inlay semi precious gem stones into silver. My new work features the same inlay technique but using a new and exciting contemporary material, borosilicate glass!
After seeing the world below the surface of the sea in the Florida Keys, my work took on a new vision. The colors, the movement, and the depth of the undersea vision made me realize the connection between my world of glass and this dazzling world of nature.
When we first look at glass, we see a solid; static, with no movement. My work strives to show the true liquid nature of glass for it is truly a liquid at higher temperatures. I always look to achieve the same life, depth, and movement in my work that I feel in the natural world.
The colors you see are pure gold and silver fumed onto the glass. It is the combination of the pure metals behind cobalt and metal oxides that produce the vivid reflective hues.
Some of my pieces feature flowers, coral, and sea-anemone like components that are actually miniature pictures in glass, called murrine, all of which I make in the ancient Italian tradition. All of my work is signed and dated with my signature murrine as well.
In 1987 I apprenticed with a master jeweler in New Mexico. I learned to inlay semi precious gem stones into silver. My new work features the same inlay technique but using a new and exciting contemporary material, borosilicate glass!
