Finally Hot!

We're hot! We are so happy to have the furnace back up after 3 weeks of repairs. Matt Eaton is joining us for the week to help us catch up on orders. This extremely tall vase was almost impossible and very fun to observe! It will eventually fit into a desk in a contemporary new office.

Furnace Repair Adventure

Contemplating the dilemma!

Treasures from inside the crucible.

Beautiful if it weren't so frustrating!

Glued shut with the glass that leaked out of the crucible.

Finally made it all the way inside!

I'm saving this chunk!

An interesting week at Nicholson Blown Glass. We suspected a leak when the crucible refused to fill up completely as we charged for the week. First we pushed through some order deadlines and, thankfully, Matt was able to come up and help with the repair. Although the furnace front was designed in 2007 to pull out to easily replace the crucible, this leak went all the way through the bottom and cemented the furnace together. Two days of pounding and chipping finally gave way and we are inside. What a mess! Clean up, rebuild, fit the new crucible and then we hope to be well on our way to a hot furnace. Can't really estimate when............but soon!

A new Clarity Chandelier made it all the way to installation in La Quinta California. The clients had to be so patient with Rick's recovery from surgery but it was worth the wait.
From approving samples, to blowing, to polishing and drilling, to metal and wiring - the process goes through many steps. We love to take on new challenges!

 

West Cancer Center, Memphis

As glass artists, Rick and Janet Nicholson are primarily drawn to the flow of color and the emotions they evoke. From cooling and serene blends to exciting pops of color, the Nicholson’s blown glass offers unique landscapes pulsing in vibrancy and variety. Viewers may find themselves swept up into an array of energetic blues straight from the Hawaiian beaches of Rick’s childhood or drawn to the calming golden wheat and deep greens of their own beloved foothills. Exploring color through glass is a continually inspiring journey that Rick and Janet enjoy sharing with their viewers.

“Serenity at Dusk” invokes the calming effect of viewing the setting sun in the early evening from your own front porch.  

 I did experience many sunsets from my niece, Mindy's, porch so I would like to dedicate "Serenity at Dusk" in her memory. Janet

 

"I had the pleasure of being there today as our installer, David White carefully installed your fabulous glass in this atrium area of patient waiting.

David was so impressed with your attention to detail in including very good install instructions and hardware to make it happen and even painted hardware to match! Your mounting board was perfect. David will add wire just to insure safety. Thanks for that tip. He did a perfect job with no hitches!

Linda and I were so impressed with packing, labeling, picture diagrams and the more labeling! You are terrific artists and your method of shipping and install instructions are wonderful!

You get a high 5 from Memphis team!! Jimpsie Ayers is a most wonderful artist. You nailed the colors in her beautiful cloud paintings.

Please come visit your work! Memphis is a great place to visit and a growing healthcare center. West Cancer Center is on the map for research and treatment. Of course we would love you to see our Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital art. It is one of the best in the country. We are all about art and healing in Memphis!!

Woo! Hoo! Thanks for making this intense install wonderful. It will be perfect for big opening on Nov. 12th, but by the skin of our teeth! You will create a Wow!!" Dianne Papasan

Art Heals

Art heals, soothes and guides....... We just received the finished photo of our Pacheco Pass for an Onocolgy Center. And, while Rick is recovering from neck surgery, it made me think of how much I appreciate the original artwork on the walls of Kaiser Permanente. Especially as I waited for the surgery to be complete and wandered the halls. Hospital halls can be quite a maze filled with a sober atmosphere. Each piece of art made me stop and drew me into the beauty, complexity or simplicity of each one. They took my mind into a different, calm and peaceful place. They also managed to help me remember which floor I was on, where to turn and make my way to the cafeteria, bathroom, exit, waiting room or whatever my destination might have been. We have been making art for health care facilities for years now and I was grateful to appreciate it from the other viewpoint. Thank you to Beth Jones of Jay Jay Gallery in Sacramento to include our glass along with other original, local art in a Kaiser facility that we visit occasionally but make an effort to stay away from!

Meanwhile, the glass furnace is down and the days are filled with maintenance, metal sculpture and paperwork until mid August. Rick feels stronger each day and we look forward to creating in glass again. However, we are happy to be off during those 100 degree plus days. A summer break from the furnace may become a tradition!

California Quail

Today we enjoyed hot sculpting two California Quail. Love working with Rick, and Hannah - the family team. "baby quail" too! Our newest, completed Quail just went home with his owners tonight. They were able to watch the hot process earlier with friends and a glass of wine. There are many layers of glass powders and many steps involved in manipulating the hot glass. The steel legs complete the Quail and are also made in the studio to fit each bird individually. Tomorrow will bring another adventure in glass blowing as we prepare for the Placerarts Autumn Art Studios Tour November 7, 8, and 9.

Bennett Sculpture Carmel

Bennett Sculpture Carmel - where fairy tales are made!

Inner Drive

Journey

Carmel Beach

Pacheco Pass - initial inspiration for our Landscape Series

Full Moon on the drive home

We are honored to be a part of Bennett Sculpture Gallery in Carmel California. My friend and major helper, Leslie drove us and the glass down from Auburn so we had a wonderful adventure!

Equine Series

Even before the Derby and the debut of California Chrome, we have been working on our new sculptural Equine Series. I've been passionate about horses all of my life and when Rick completed a class with the Murano Maestro, Pino Signoretto, at Pilchuck in 2013, we knew we were ready to sculpt them in glass. The sculpture challenges Rick to move beyond blowing to include hot sculpting, manipulating the hot glass and adding hot bits and parts with the help of our daughter, Hannah. She graduated in art from University of California, Santa Cruz then traveled South and Central America before settling in with us to improve her glass working skills. Hannah and her Dad are quite a team! We still have two horses (lawn ornaments) in their 30s living with us and Rick can touch and study their structure first hand before heading for the hot shop. Currently, we have Hannah's boyfriend from Buenos Aires living and working with us too. You never know where life leads. Meanwhile we are busy filling orders and sculpting too - even through this hot Auburn summer. We will be demonstrating a horse Friday night August 15 from 7 to 9:30 and Fawnridge Winery will introduce their new Artist Series label. Join us for an evening of fun if you are able.

Shorebirds!

Happy to be back to hot sculpting Shorebirds!

Torso

We were excited to be able to see one of our hand blown and hot sculpted Torsos in place. What a creative idea to create a niche where a medicine cabinet used to be! It is so fascinating to watch Rick sculpt a Torso. They are definitely the most difficult piece that we do.  And, once in a while, Rick loves a challenge!

SAGE is available in our studio. She is 12"H, $1400.