Chlorite schist II - handblown glass art

A unique handblown and carved glass vase  inspired by the color and texture of metamorphic rocks I have studied in my work as a geologist. The pattern was created using stringers of very stiff white glass.

To make stringers, canes (glass rods containing a core of color) were first melted together and then pulled out into long skinny rods (about 1/16” diameter), each containing multiple very thin threads of white duro. Then those stringers were then “painted” onto the surface of a bubble of glass (already colored with a water-color like pattern of blues and greens) with an oxy-propane torch. This process takes several hours over the course of several studio days. After being patterned and inflated in the hot shop, this vase has been extensively cold worked, yielding a sloped lip and an irregularly fluted surface, and has been hand finished to a satin surface to better highlight the detailed stringer patterns. This patterning is inspired by metamorphic garnet-chlorite schists that I have encountered in my geology work. This vase is one of a kind and was blown by the artist (David L Smith) with a unique shape and pattern. Because this is hand-blown, there are small bubbles and tool marks present in the piece that are artifacts of the studio glass process. This vase is a piece of art and is signed and dated by the artist. And it it a practical object as well, suitable for use every day. It also makes a great gift! Hand-washing recommended. Thanks for supporting independent artists!