Working On The Edge

USPA NEWS - They make it look so easy! Nothing could be farther from the truth. The creative magic that starts when you first gather that liquified hot glass, that reminds one of dipping a spoon on a large jar of honey. The transformation starts and a beautiful work of art mesmerizing begins!

Who knew that a christmas gift in 2007 from his wife Ann would last a life time. She bought Jim classes to learn how to make hand blown glass. She knew and saw a real artistic talent in her husband.Jim says when he first started it was somewhat intimidating just learning how to gather and handle hot glass on the end of that pipe.Hesation seems to be a natural evil, but in time it will soon be mastered. Working in studio with other accomplished glass blowers helped Jim begin his new art adventure. Mentors like Brain Becher, BJ, AJ Phillpi, and Jake Stout were more than willing to help Jim. It didn't happen right away, but when they saw how serious he was about learning, they were more than willing to share, teach and encourage. Jim says there was about a year and half to two years time span that was a very trying process before he really feel comfortable in the saddle. Part of that two years was learning things like a green stick of glass has iron in its makeup. Which means it heats up faster, or the color white is very stiff and heats slowly. The mixing of what colors will work best together and in which order they need to be applied. Strangely enough in the world of glass, mixing blue and yellow doesn't always make green! Temperature, heat and material are still only part of the equation. The real mastering part of glass blowing is technique. When people stop to watch the artist, they automatically look at the piece of hot glass hanging on the end of the pipe. Artist will watch the smoothness of hand and arm movements. Your top glass blowers movements are as smooth as glass. No jerky hand or arm gestures, but rather a fluid rhythmic motion transcends through the fingers and arms. Proper technique is so crucial as a pice of glass starts to take shape. When the artist gives the glass a twist, believe it or not, glass has memory! It will try to revert back to its original form. With the right technique, it controls that issue. Jim has transformed that fundamental skill into a very accomplished and creative work of artistic glass blowing. There are so many learning curves in working a piece of hot glass. If you get your glass to hot, it can change its shape too quickly. If the glass cools to quickly, it looses its ability of shape and form. If a finished piece cools to quickly it can literally burst or crack. Mixing of color into a piece can also be very tricky. Some colors can cool down quicker than your original gather on the rod, causing more issues with your creative glass. Jim's talent and creative artistic style has evolved into a world of exhibiting and selling his works at numerous shows in throughout the United States. Jim's talent has established a reputation among glass world where several people have privately commissioned Jim for his glass art works. Two glass artist that inspire Jim is world famous glass blower Lino Tagliapietra and local Sam Drumgoole. Two very different styles but masters in the glass world. You can find Jim DeLange's glass awww.jimdelangeglass.com and Jim DeLange Facebook.