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