As the fire burned
How It All Went Down...
I've been welding, and creating studio glasswork since 1989. Professionally so with the creation of Great Southern Glassworks in 1995, which was located within the heart and beginnings of The River Arts District in Asheville, NC.
The 24/7 fire we were tending there was extinguished in 2004 by flooding from back to back tropical storms Ivan and Frances. Partly due to those surreal events, I'm no longer making glass, but there is a special supply of work from those times available to private interests, and former collectors.
Following was a wild five year interlude spent as a flatbed trucking company owner/operator. I saw lots of amazing things, and have a book's worth of crazy stories, but made nothing with my hands during that period for the first time in my life. Two extremes for sure. Ask me about the shoot out I was in while staying over in New Mexico some time. Like I said, CRAZY.
Reignition 2010-Present:
I'M BACK IN BLACK... well, mostly khaki color canvas. Certified structural welding, design, and limited edition studio furnishings are what I'm doing, and I won't stray from that path again.
Pieces from my past body of work are scattered throughout the globe. Corporate collections that have included me are Blue Cross Blue Shield, Bank of America, Coca Cola, Wells Fargo, Hilton Property Group etc.
Currently, I have a new body of work emerging, and it references my glasswork. You can see it here @ https://www.etsy.com/shop/FramesFromFire?ref=search_shop_redirect
In addition, over the past several years, I have had the great pleasure to work along side of a very gifted designer/craftsman and metal artist named Chukk Bruursema. I highly recommend that you have a look at his website @ Chukkbruursema.com