Stephen Nelson

This Pennsylvania artist does glass artwork inspired by history, literature and music. he draws the idea on paper before going into the hot shop. Some pieces are blown and put together hot, while others demand that they are constructed after they have cooled. Traditionally, the craft of glass blowing, is one in which an artist is assisted by appretntices. Stephen’s assistants, who are artists themselves and experience in glass blowing, help him with the tasks that are outside of the creative process. Their responsibilities, depending on the work being made, vary from heating up pieces of color rod, to reheating pieces so Stephen can work on their form, to grinding the bottoms of pieces.

Some of Stephen’s work incorporates cast bronze. He makes the original with clay and wax and found items, whatever he needs to create what he has envisioned. He then takes the original to another artists bronze foundry and assists in the process of turning his original into bronze.

One series of his work involves a blown glass head with two different facial expressions on opposite sides; one is of a kiss representing desires and the other is of contemplation representing the search for knowledge. The sculptures are inspired by a story I read by Deepak Chopra about two goddesses that reside in the heart of us all. In the story it says to love them both, but if you pursue, love and give your attention to the goddess of knowledge, the goddess of wealth will become jealous and follow you wherever you go.

Stephen’s most recent series of work involves blown glass teapots. Inspired by his mother, who was an avid colletor, these pieces reflect both whimsy and history.