Heady Glass Artists to Explore

 "Thinking of You". Material: Borosilicate Glass Artist: Daniel Bourgeois

In some previous posts I covered artists who make flower marbles, opal jewelry, and sculpture, but as a glass aficionado knows we can't leave out heady glass artists! 

What is Heady Glass Art Anyways?

Some of you may not be in the know, so heady glass art tends to have a more psychedelic look to it. There tends to be a lot of opals and fuming. Fuming is where we glass artists vaporize the purest of gold and silver and capture the particles released in the glass itself! 

Glass art in the US grew up with the growing cannabis movement; much of heady art comes from the fantastic colorful work of the cannabis pipe makers. Inspired by the creativity and visuals of psychedelics, heady art explores the frontiers of human consciousness! 


Some Of My Favorite Heady Glass Artists

Mike Gong

"Day Tripper Trev" Material: Borosilicate Glass. Artist: Mike Gong

We can't even talk about heady glass art without mentioning Mike Gong. With his trademark acid eater marbles, as well as all of his other creations, he's had a big influence on many glass artists out there, including me! When I see that trademark goofy grin I can't help but smile. 

Tragically Mike Gong has no website, but some of his works are available at Glass Orbits, and he also hosts auctions of his latest work on his instagram 

 

Bob Snodgrass

Bob Snodgrass hard at work

The Man, the myth, the legend. Bob Snodgrass is possibly the most influential glassblower outside of Dale Chihuly. Known as the Godfather of American Borosilicate Glass, Bob Snodgrass basically created heady art. Not only that, but he also invented fuming! That's right he's the first one to vaporize gold and silver to create a whole new color spectrum for glass workers. 

Bob Snodgrass fumed skull pipe

Banjo Glass

Material: Borosilicate Glass Artist: Banjoglass

If you had to point to one pipe maker who exemplifies modern heady glass art you've gotta at least be considering Banjo. His glass deva pipes are some of the most extraordinary work out there. Anyone can appreciate the level of detail in these pieces, but you've gotta be a lampworker to truly appreciate how difficult it is to make these pieces. All it takes is one mistake to totally destroy weeks' worth of work. 

Some people are really on another level in terms of glassblowing, the kind of people whose work doesn't even seem like it's made by human hands. Banjo Glass is one of those artists!

Well anyways I hope you enjoyed our journey through the world of heady glass art and be sure to check out my store to purchase some heady glass art!

 

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published