Here we go, meet Megan!
Gals of Glazz
Tune in for 10
Megan Stelljes
Who are you and what do you do?
I am a Tacoma, Washington, based glass
artist. I graduated with a BFA in glass
forming from Emporia State University in 2009. After graduation I moved to the
Pacific North West to pursue glass, working with and for friends making
sculptural glass. I love being a part of
the Seattle area glass community. I also
own and operate my own small business making drink ware called Gray Sky
Glassware. (grayskyglassware.com)
What do you make?
I make sculptures based on my experiences
in society. As I evolve, the themes in
my work follow. My current body of work
uses familiar objects to convey moods and feelings. I have also been working with photographic
decals. Using old photos rolled up in
the hot shop on bell jars. The bell jars are mostly empty with a cane drawing
on the opposite side of the photo. The
drawing illuminates the dissonance between real life and expectations in the
photo. I love simple forms. Often times my work has an almost child like
or cartoon aesthetic. I love the playfulness
and the familiarity this aesthetic highlights.
What’s your color palette?
Vintage Tupperware (pastels not 70’s) meets
bright candy colors
Proudest Achievement?
I am most proud of being invited to be a
Gaffer at Pilchuck Glass School.
Pilchuck has been such a special place for me. I feel like it's the place where I grew up
in the glass community. I have worked
there in many capacities and always dreamt of being a gaffer. It is such a special and fun position.
Hot or Cold?
HOT!
Dream Project?
My dream project is having the freedom to
create a dream project. As amazing as
glass is, it is so financially limiting.
I hope to one day be able to support myself entirely through my own artwork. That is my ultimate dream project.
Influences
Most of my influences in glass come from
people I work with, or have learned from directly. My first teacher outside of college was Karen
Willenbrink-Johnsen. She taught me so
much of what I know today and am so thankful for my time with her. She is such a pioneer. Two of my favorite lessons from her are “It’s
not done until it’s over done!” and “All that glitters is… we need more
GLITTER!” Kelly O’Dell and Amanda Patenaude are sort of my spirit animals of glass
influences. These ladies are such
treasures and have really showed the most important part of being an artist is
sharing love and saying Yes Please! They
are both amazing artists as well as amazing women. I have also recently been able to be a student
of Amy Rueffert, Jen Elek and Netty Blair.
These ladies taught me so very much about working glass, art and
life. I feel like that is an interview
in and of itself. I guess the most
important thing that draws me to these people is an overwhelming kindness and
appreciation for those around them. My work is so reactive to my surroundings
that my influences are from daily life as well as their artwork.
What’s coming up for you?
In the spring I am fortunate enough to be a
teaching assistant for Jen Elek and Jeremy Bert for a Penland School of Crafts
concentration class. I can’t wait. I am also working on new products for the
Gray Sky Glassware line. Maybe even a
new studio…
Three foods?
Cucumbers
Pizza
Beer? Does beer count as a food?
Thank you Megan! (And beer totally counts) If you want to check out more of Megan's work check her site here.
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