An artist holding a torch in one hand and a lump of molten glass in the other is a rare sight for hot-glass making, but that is exactly how torch glass artist Dan Neff creates delicate marbles, pendants and other glass wonders.
Neff says, “I find inspiration in the palette of the outdoors and often try to emulate this in glass. In its molten form, glass loses its fragility and becomes something I can control. By shaping, stretching, and blowing I bring it to life. New colors constantly emerge.”
Neff currently lives and operates Naf Glass Studio in Duluth. He started working with glass at a community education class in lampworking and he says he “got hooked.”
After completing an apprenticeship program, he traveled nationally and internationally to work with renowned glass artists like John Kobuki and Gateson Recko.
As part of the Grand Marais Art Colony’s Memorial Weekend Family Fun, Dan Neff will offer Torch-working with Borosilicate
Glass,
May 29-30. This relatively easy-to-master technique makes hot glass significantly more accessible to people interested in trying out the art form for the first time. To register for the class, contact the Art Colony at 218-387-2737.
To view Dan Neff’s glasswork visit: www.nafglass.com.
Leave a Reply