Hello World of Bongs Community, now we take over to Stowaway Glassworks and talk with Glass By Raw, an amazing talented artist that creates freaky sculptures:
WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN GLASS IN THE FIRST PLACE?
I became interested in glass because of my mother. She use to be a soft glass lampworker. I was visiting her in early 2000’s and she asked me if I wanted to give it a try. From the moment I sat down in front of the torch, I was hooked. She had to kick me off, 9 hours later!
WHERE DID YOU LEARN YOUR SKILLS?
I am self-taught. Finding an affordable, available glassblower to show me the ropes has been impossible. Since then, I have taken a class with Peter Muller and Iroc Zii. The skills I learned from them are invaluable.
DO YOU CREDIT ANY OTHER GLASS BLOWER WITH HELPING YOU ACHIEVE YOUR SUCCESS?
I learned most everything I’ve learned from YouTube. In 2018 I took the plunge, and took a professional class, “Snitches get Stitches,” featuring Iroc Zii and Peter Muller. It was professionally a game changer. I will be forever grateful to them for what I learned, and to Glass Alchemy for hosting the class!
TALK TO ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR STYLE.
I am inspired by so many glass artists. SALT has by far been one of my biggest inspirations. I love the creatures he create. Total fantasy, nothing I’ve seen before anywhere, remarkable. But, it’s hard to be inspired by just one person in this industry; The Mazet Brothers, Zii, Muller, Glass Hole, Dellen Peralta, my brother, Face Down Glass Up.
My style was originally born out of what I could do. I would spend countless hours trying to figure things out, I still do sometimes. Now that I am more confident on the torch, and more confident with myself, my style is beginning to become more recognizable and distinct.
My style was originally born out of what I could do. I would spend countless hours trying to figure things out, I still do sometimes. Now that I am more confident on the torch, and more confident with myself, my style is beginning to become more recognizable and distinct.
WHAT MATERIALS DO YOU MOST LIKE TO WORK WITH?
I love working with my hands, period. Glass is an amazing medium, but building shit runs a close second for me.
WHAT’S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PIECE YOU’VE EVER MADE?
My most current creatures are the most expensive pieces I have ever made. They take me on average of 13 hours to make and assemble. I love how they are turning out.
WHAT WAS YOUR WORST MOMENT ON THE PATH TO “MAKING IT” AS A GLASS ARTIST?
By far my worst moments have been when things break. Just yesterday, I was finished with a piece I had been working on for a couple of days. As I was doing my last termination, the piece broke off and fell. During those moments, I walk away and revisit the project at a later time.
AND WHAT WAS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT?
Besides the days that my kids were born…any day that a piece makes it out of the damn kiln!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEW GLASS ARTISTS?
Be patient. This isn’t a medium that is easy to work. Glass can’t be rushed, it must be finessed. And, if you aren’t ready to have your hands and your ego badly burned, stay out of the shop!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE STRAIN/EXTRACT, AND WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PIECE TO DAB IT IN?
One of my most favorite strains is Romulan. Since I prefer smoking flower, over dabbing, I would love to smoke a good bowl of Rom, out of the amazing sherlock my brother made for me. However, I will NEVER pass on some good old school hash!!!!!!! Homemade coldwater is one of my personal favorites.
IF YOU COULD MAKE YOUR “DREAM” PIECE, WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE?
My “dream piece” would probably be a collaboration piece with me and one of my favorite glass artists.
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?
I’m pretty sure that I would get a bit “fanboy” if Tommy Chong, Snoop Dogg, Bill Murray, Woody Harrelson, Willie Nelson, or any “Legendary Stoner” hit me up for a piece. But I must say that no matter who I am making a piece for, I put in 100% heart.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR GLASS ARTISTRY IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY?
I see the glass art industry going through some very tough times, in the very near future. We as artists are being challenged by foreign glass markets that are making a cheaper product. It’s not a better product, but it is cheaper. The availability, and low price of these items make them attractive to consumers, but the pieces aren’t durable, nor were they made in an environmentally responsible manner. And they certainly aren’t made with love. If we don’t address the environmental issues surrounding the manufacturing of the glass, we won’t need to worry about anything because we won’t be here to exist.
Beyond that, I see the sky having no limit to what might be the next innovation in glass smoking pieces. With the incredible technology that is available today, the possibilities are endless.
Beyond that, I see the sky having no limit to what might be the next innovation in glass smoking pieces. With the incredible technology that is available today, the possibilities are endless.
IF YOU WERE SHIPWRECKED ON A DESERT ISLAND AND YOU COULD ONLY HAVE THREE ESSENTIAL PIECES WITH YOU, WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
A pipe, weed, and more weed.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC TO WORK TO/DAB TO?
That’s a tough one. I love to work to a few types of music. I love classic hip-hop. The beats and familiarity keep me going. I also love classic rock. Lately, I have been letting my brother choose our work music. His eclectic taste keeps me alert, movin’ and on focused!
THANK YOU, GLASS BY RAW, FOR THIS NICE INTERVIEW! WE WAIT TO SEE MORE AMAZING ARTWORK MADE BY YOU!
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