Hello World of Bongs Community, here we are back with the young artist Jeremy Lepage (Fishbhones), that shows a impressive talent and passion for art:
WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN GLASS IN THE FIRST PLACE?
Daaamn bro, prob my boss Dominic from the bong store I was trying to get a job at. Him and the manager Yvan introduced me to the subculture but its my current shop mates, Mat, Arti and Ross who really got me interested. It was their attitude and passion that clicked my curiousity & next thing you know I was sucked in.
But I dont know, I could just say Ive wanted a killer bong that fucking rips by the age of 12. Depends what level of interest youre looking for.
WHERE DID YOU LEARN YOUR SKILLS?
Ive accumulated skills through balancing two shops.
Island City Glass where Ross, Mat and Arti are and then there’s this dude Galen Sawatzky and his mother Terry Sawatzky who gave me an opportunity of a life time by hooking me up with shop space and material if I worked with them. What I did. It was nice. Galen and his mother offered a lot of guidance and helped me step out of my comfort zone to push myself further in a positive manner. I also had an opportunity to learn about the history and current movement from their perspectice & thats wild. Im very fortunate. Thank you guys!
DO YOU CREDIT ANY OTHER GLASS BLOWER WITH HELPING YOU ACHIEVE YOUR SUCCESS?
Not only glass blowers but my friends and family, shop owners and even strangers. It seems like everybody has done their part in trying to carve me into who I am today. Without these people helping me when Im down, supporting my work, and correcting my mistakes or just being patient and letting me figure it out myself I wouldnt be going any further and trying new ideas.
TALK TO ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR STYLE.
I havent developed my own style, yet.
What Im currently doing is very standard production to help build an inventory and as I gather openings with free time, I put everything I got into that one special piece. Its usually an attempt of where I want my next standard to be.
WHAT MATERIALS DO YOU MOST LIKE TO WORK WITH?
A lot to chose from! Been on this whole solid cane ride for awhile. Maybe Frit has to be my favourite but cane is something I can do all day.
WHAT’S THE MOST FAVOURITE PIECE YOU’VE EVER MADE?
Hard to decide Mate. Ive made some pieces that I never want to get rid of. I enjoy the piece Ive made most recently with all the horns. Theres a pipe I made with Terry Sawatzky that I keep with me, a marble with Quinn in my pocket right now lmao.
I like the pieces that I feel ties my friendship with those Ive had time to work with. And I like them all equally. Unless yall a dick.
WHAT WAS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT ON THE PATH TO “MAKING IT” AS A GLASS ARTIST?
…. then I broke it off the handle I had it on and tossed the implossion AND pin frog into the kiln cause why not right. I swear my buddy does it with his pineapple mold n shocks it with water after. So, why wouldnt that work with the $8 pin frog? Well fam, the pin frog melted and I just flung that hot melted alluminium all over the place with tweezers trying to get rid of it. Was a real disaster.
AND WHAT WAS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT?
This interview is pretty cool, feels good seeing someone interested.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEW GLASS ARTISTS?
Dont give up. This one time I went to work and I had no more money, okay? I couldnt get home if I went in but I couldnt do anything if I didnt go anywhere else. So I just went to work, fuck it, Ive been hoping the metro all year anyways.
My day carries on and time to leave. I had half a dozen clear pipes in my backpack cause it was all I could afford to make. Thats okay, its all I needed anyways. After I left, I went around town trying to sell them so I can get home & no one wanted them. My pipes did suck at the time and I knew how to make nicer things but its just how the story goes for me.
I got to the metro and the guy in the dep at the metro ended up taking my pipes. That guy. For a few fucking dollars.
I went home. Went to bed. Woke up and did it again the next day.
Its not always going to be like that, if I can get out of it, so can you.
Not everyone is meant to be an artist, be thankful you can go in and continue to work if this is truly your passion & from there just focus on making a better quality product.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE STRAIN/EXTRACT, AND WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PIECE TO DAB IT IN?
Faaam, I love smoking joints. OG Kush, Black Domino, damn. Strains I smoked 10 years ago hahaha
As for pieces to smoke from, my buddy Galen made this shop piece once & that was a sick thing to hit.
IF YOU COULD MAKE YOUR “DREAM” PIECE, WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE?
Probably whatever influences I can surround myself around will determine that piece.
Ask again in 10 years
WHO WOULD YOU LIKE, MOST OF ALL IN THIS WORLD, TO HIT YOU UP FOR A PIECE, AND WHAT PIECE WOULD YOU MAKE FOR HIM/HER?
Kendrick Lamaar hahah holy shit that would be next level. His music helped me stay focused and motivated outside & inside of glass. I dont think I could have pushed at important times in my career without his music.
Sing about me, Im dying of thirst.
Look it up.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR GLASS ARTISTRY IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY?
I hope to see a lot more teenagers who are struggling in school to look at this as a trade and honest way to earn a living if set up properly.
I guess the future holds a lotta pipes to be made if marijuanna becomes something we see on ads in the tv box thing.
IF YOU WERE SHIPWRECKED ON A DESERT ISLAND AND YOU COULD ONLY HAVE THREE ESSENTIAL PIECES WITH YOU, WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE, AND WHY?
Wjc wook ammy to guide me through the jungle, gz1 magnifying glass to light my bowls n some sweatykingpin beads to hold down my dreads. Crack me some coconuts and shits lit, party coming to me & desert island now lit af island.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC TO WORK TO/DAB TO?
Good question. Anything well made.
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