Patrick Ryan
Patrick Ryan, Glass Artist
I am a semi-retired optometrist. I have always had a very strong interest in all the visual arts. Visiting museums, enjoying the various shows in the area and watching my daughter Calli Ryan as she worked toward her MFA in painting at PAFA in Philadelphia, PA, only increased my interests.
After seeing works of blown glass in museums and watching the process of blowing and manipulating hot glass, I wanted to try it for myself. I was interested in both its scientific and the artistic possibilities. I contacted a local hot glass shop and decided to give it a try. After each lesson I became more interested in the whole process of glass blowing. These lessons with Chris Skibbe at The Glass Spot over the years have been an incredible experience. I enjoy both the technical aspect or the science behind the physical properties of glass as well as the actual hands on molding, shaping and combining of the colors.
Artistically, I love the way glass has the ability to show colors in such an extremely vibrant way. I think this is due to the striking contrast between the crystal-clear areas and the colors included in the same finished piece. Each time I finish a piece I am amazed at this affect. My focus now, is to perfect my forms, to work with new/different color combinations, and to continue to use color in ways that take advantage of the interactions between light, color,and the clear space on the final piece.
I am a semi-retired optometrist. I have always had a very strong interest in all the visual arts. Visiting museums, enjoying the various shows in the area and watching my daughter Calli Ryan as she worked toward her MFA in painting at PAFA in Philadelphia, PA, only increased my interests.
After seeing works of blown glass in museums and watching the process of blowing and manipulating hot glass, I wanted to try it for myself. I was interested in both its scientific and the artistic possibilities. I contacted a local hot glass shop and decided to give it a try. After each lesson I became more interested in the whole process of glass blowing. These lessons with Chris Skibbe at The Glass Spot over the years have been an incredible experience. I enjoy both the technical aspect or the science behind the physical properties of glass as well as the actual hands on molding, shaping and combining of the colors.
Artistically, I love the way glass has the ability to show colors in such an extremely vibrant way. I think this is due to the striking contrast between the crystal-clear areas and the colors included in the same finished piece. Each time I finish a piece I am amazed at this affect. My focus now, is to perfect my forms, to work with new/different color combinations, and to continue to use color in ways that take advantage of the interactions between light, color,and the clear space on the final piece.
