Leaves of glass: Gay craftsmen Eric Markow and Thom Norris create unique works of art by weaving glass."When we go to the shows, it's always the ladies who go, 'Oh, can I put bread in that?'" says Thorn thorn, in botany thorn, sharp-pointed projection on some plants, usually protective in function. Botanically, thorns are distinguished as modified stems (as in the honey locust and hawthorn) from spines, which are modified leaves (as in the barberry), and Norris of the woven glass confetti bowl he created with his partner, Eric Markow. He laughs before adding, "And we say, 'Sure, if you want to spend $3,000 on a bread bowl, be my guest!'" Norris and Markow's art and life partnerships began simultaneously after being introduced by mutual fiends in Virginia. "We've had a great relationship for 11 1/2 years," says Norris. "And [our artwork] has kept our relationship really fresh because we're doing something new and exciting every month. We revel in the fact that we get along so well and realize it's a blessing." Their creations, which began as intricate, organic stained glass stained glass, in general, windows made of colored glass. To a large extent, the name is a misnomer, for staining is only one of the methods of coloring employed, and the best medieval glass made little use of it. projects, took an artistic turn about four years ago. "We wanted an art form that, when people saw it, they would say, 'Wait, that's not possible,'" remembers Norris. "We were fiddling around with some different shapes and came up with the concept of woven glass." Using a technique that is part fused glass Fused glass is a term used to describe glass that has been fired (heat-processed) in a kiln at a range of high temperatures from 593º C (1100ºF) to 816º C (1500ºF). There 3 main distinctions for temperature application and the resulting effect on the glass. , part top secret, Norris and Markow create beautiful, labor-intensive pieces that, even up close, look like fabric. Both lovers of nature, Norris and Markow count Georgia O'Keeffe Georgia Totti O'Keeffe (November 15, 1887—March 6,1986) was an American artist. She is typically associated with the American Southwest and particularly New Mexico where she settled late in life. O'Keeffe has been a major figure in American art since the 1920s. as one of their main inspirations. "Her work is all of the Southwest," Norris notes. "One of our pieces is a desert skull, and that was inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings. We have loved her work for years and years." Represented in 14 galleries all over the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , the artists are just now realizing how popular their work has become in a relatively short time. "We wanted to have a product that really seemed unique in the art world. We're thrilled, and a little overwhelmed o·ver·whelm tr.v. o·ver·whelmed, o·ver·whelm·ing, o·ver·whelms 1. To surge over and submerge; engulf: waves overwhelming the rocky shoreline. 2. a. , with the response we're getting so far." |
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