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 Artist Statement
“I wanted to be an artist since I was a child. I discovered that I can create an idea or image better out of glass than I can on paper or with paint, and feel more connected to the work. Deciding to pursue my passion, I began my journey. Growing up in West Virginia, nature has always been my biggest inspiration. I believe my work speaks for itself, displaying natural colors and shapes as part of my design. I hope to share my style of nature-inspired art with people who share my love for Mother Nature.”
Artist Bio
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James Woodson’s love for art and music sparked his desire to become a glass artist. Attending art and music festivals made him realize the endless possibilities when creating glass objects. After purchasing his first piece, James decided to seek out an apprenticeship. In 2004, he began a three-year lampworking and glassblowing apprenticeship with Josh Bostic at Blackwater Glassworks in Charleston, West Virginia. Since then it has been James’ mission to continue to expand his knowledge and experience in the wide world of art glass.
After his apprenticeship at Blackwater Glassworks, James received a work-study scholarship to Penland School of Crafts in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. He completed a beginner’s level offhand soft glassblowing course taught by Earl O. James of Cleveland, Ohio. He has completed an intermediate flameworking class taught by scientific glassblower Sally Prasch, and has plans to attend more related courses at Penland in the near future. James recently built a home studio and has been experimenting with new techniques and ideas. In 2007, he began working at Blenko Glass Company where he is currently employed. James has been featured at several small craft fairs, and shows work at Blenko’s Visitor Center.
Artist Process
By burning oxygen and propane at a bench-top torch, a flame burning at around 3000 degrees is produced. Beginning with solid clear Pyrex (borosilicate) rods or tubing, this is heated in the flame and mixed with colored rods of glass or crushed pieces of colored glass in different sizes, called frit. Once the desired color, pattern or texture is achieved the gather of glass is melted together and evenly heated back to molten then shaped with graphite or metal tools to the desired shape. When working with hollow objects the pieces are blown and stretched into shape. After a piece is finished it is placed into an electric annealing kiln set at 1050 degrees and held at the annealing temperature for a period of time depending on the thickness and complexity of the piece being fired. After annealing the glass, the kiln is set to cool slowly.
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