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Summer Series AIR

I was invited to the Tacoma Museum of Glass this past summer to make some work with the Hot Shop staff there. The Museum staff are exceptionally equipped and very hospitable, not to mention loads of fun to work with!

We worked on my newest series ‘Great Canadian Exports’, inspired by the precious and delicate natural resources that are the foundation of the Canadian economy. All the shapes are transparent colours and shaped into iconic, minimal and abstracted shapes that represent the different industries. Each series is stamped with their commodity/industry name. TIMBER, OIL, WATER, FISH. see my gallery for images of this work.

The folks in the MOG hotshop; Ben Cobb, Gabe Feenan, Sarah Gilbert and my dear friend Niko Dimitrijevic are highly skilled glassworkers who have a lot of experience and a wide skill base. They approach their work with a high degree of professionalism and respect… and they have a really good time doing it. Aaron and I were so lucky to be a part of their world, even for just a week.

For more on this experience, see my Projects page for full coverage.

THANK YOU to the Tacoma Museum of Glass, I am so honoured. Your summer series programming is truly a rare and unparalleled experience.

from left to right- Gabe, Niko, (me) and Ben

custom brass stamps

Stamping

Precious Maple - a metaphor for Canadian 'Cultural Export'

the hot shop is usually full of spectators, as it's fun to watch

this video was filmed and produced by the Museum of Glass

Nov 27, 2012 | Categories:news | Comments Off

Bruce Mau at Pilchuck!?!

Picture your professional hero. Someone whose work you admire and respect so much you just feel lucky that this person exists.

Now think of a place you love. Somewhere that inspires and motivates you. A place that is so extraordinary, it grants you personal enlightenment every time you visit.

Now imagine a scenario crazy enough for those two components to find each other . . . Oh and, add to that, you’ve been invited along for the ride.

Somehow, THAT JUST HAPPENED TO ME!

Thank you Pilchuck and thank you so much Bruce Mau and Bisi Williams.

This video is a brief look at the past, present and future of Bruce and Bisi’s work. Even if you are streaming on dial-up, it is definitely worth a watch.

If you get as far as my short slide show at the end, the long pauses represent my having to gain composure through my tears, apologies.


 

Bruce Mau Design- www.brucemaudesign.com
Pilchuck Glass School- www.pilchuck.com

Bruce Mau and Bisi Williams give glassblowing a go. Sally McCubbin helping out, Jessie Blackmer, Catherine Chalmers and Jay Macdonell in a sailor's hat, looking on.

 

Sally McCubbin is Managing Editor of Contemporary Canadian Glass and is also an instructor at Sheridan College. She recently opened a studio of 12 artists in Toronto, called Elevator Art Lab. Sally is passionate about thoughtful design and created a company entitled Timid Glass Toronto with partner Aaron Oussoren that reflects this enthusiasm as well as their shared interest in environmentalism and conservationism.

Aug 08, 2011 | Categories:news | Tags: , , , , , | Comments Off

6.2 km of Art

This past November saw the installation of a public art project that will change neighbourhoods across Toronto.  In 2008 the Toronto Transit Commission invited artists to participate in the St. Clair Avenue West Transit Improvements Project (SCW) Public Art Program to provide visual art for the, then, almost-constructed dedicated transit line along St. Clair Avenue West. The streetcar stops adorned with art panels extend from Yonge St. to Keele St.  As an avid supporter of Toronto’s public transit development plan “Transit City” I was more than flattered, I was delirious at the idea of my artwork sharing the street with a light-rail transit line. Of the two designs I submitted, both were awarded the honor of their very own street car stop. I was awarded one commission for a design called “here today, gone tomorrow” which was installed at the Earlscourt Ave. platform and the other commission was awarded to Aaron Oussoren and myself for our collaborative work “One Among Many” which is at Arlington Ave. After two years, many drafts, endless emails and lessons learned I can honestly say I am still delirious at the idea of my (and Aaron’s) artwork sharing the street with citizens, streetcars, locals, commuters, traffic and bikes.  It’s a brilliant opportunity and a two year story that I won’t soon forget. Click on either image for further coverage of each project.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow - Earlscourt Ave. Streetcar Stop - Toronto

One Among Many - Arlington Ave. Streetcar Stop - Toronto

After two years in progress, the installation day was climactic to say the least.  After studying the imagery and knowing the installations inside out and backward, I was still a little startled by them in their finished context. Satisfied and a little amazed. Thank you to our posse of moms, sisters and friends that joined us to cheer on the installation.  Your support is so sincere and touching.

I must say, it feels nice to know, for once, where my artwork lives, how it looks, and have the chance to visit it when I want.  During the days we were mounting the project, I eves dropped first hand feedback from streetcar riders. . . so far so good.

I’m currently writing a short story/review of my experiences during this project and my thoughts surrounding public art, where I’m at and what I’ve learned. Stay tuned for that.

Each panel was hand lifted and fit into the armature.

This maneuver took a year off my life.

When the sun is low, it projects the work onto the sidewalk.

Dec 16, 2010 | Categories:news | Tags: , , , , , | Comments Off

A throwback from BizStart

From March 2009 to February 2010 I participated in a government funded business program for young entrepreneurs called BizStart. Essentially, BizStart paid me a modest wage to get business training, utilize the knowledge in a complete business plan, and apply that business plan to my business.

Going in to the program I didn’t identify myself as an entrepreneur and certainly not as someone working in the business world… Today, to be frank, I still don’t think of myself as those things but, thanks to BizStart, on some level I probably am.

The Yonge Street Media Blog just did an article on the BizStart program and interviewed me for content.  The journalist, Paul Gallant, asked insightful questions and was a sympathetic listener. It was a very pleasant interview indeed.

Nov 13, 2010 | Categories:news | Tags: , , , | Comments Off