me

Namaste,

I was born in April 1963 in Brussels, Belgium, I’m a mix of German, English, and Indian (Asian), my father was born in Burma, my mother in Germany, and I have two younger brothers. I strongly believe in peace and love and always do my best to show compassion to all that are around me. I try to only eat organic foods, use natural products and holistic health care. I work out every morning, and then either go for a bike ride, a hike or a paddle in the kayak when I can. I love music, and have very eclectic tastes ranging from classic rock, alternative, classical (Wagner, Mahler), opera, jazz, electronic, folk, spiritual, world to new age. I’m wild about Anoushka Shankar. I love to read. I watch European Formula 1 Racing when in season, Doctor Who, Torchwood, Time Team and Top Gear and pretty much any nature show, Dexter too. I co-own
Rock Garden with my longtime friend Marilyn.

My fascination with glass began when I was first taken to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London as a child. I’d spend hours staring at the glass paperweights and marbles, wondering at the magic that was used in their creation.
I began flameworking in 2002 when I wanted to take a lampworking class at the local craft center, but had signed up too late to get in the class for that quarter. Rather than waiting a few months until the next course, I got on the phone and ordered a torch, goggles, mandrels, a bunch of glass, some books and sat down and through a lot of trial and error, began making drippy things and eventually beads. Over the years I've gone through a few different torches, each one larger and hotter than the last. I've studied with Michael Mangiafico and Vittorio Costantini.

Every time I work with glass I feel the ancient alchemy imbue and challenge me, its become my meditation. I infuse each piece I make with love and good intention.

You can find my work at Rock Garden, a Bead/Rock & Mineral shop I co-own in Branford, Connecticut, USA, as well as on Etsy and eBay.

In July 2004 my Seascapes Glass Sculpture won best in show at a juried exhibit at the Firehouse Art Gallery in Milford, Connecticut.

I have an article on making Glass Spinning Tops in the April/May 2006 issue of Glass Line Magazine.

Feel free to contact me at grasshopper(at)zenartglass.com , just replace the (at) with an @
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Andy