Tony Cray Hot Glass

ARTIST STATEMENT

I began blowing glass in 1986, while studying ceramics at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville (B.F.A., Studio Art 1990). In 1997, I founded and built Snake Ranch Studio. Located approximately 40 miles west of St. Louis Missouri, Snake Ranch is a full time glass studio near the town of New Melle, where I live with my wife Elizabeth and our two children, Niko and Lily.

I have been making "stuff" for as long as I can remember and much prefer the glassblowing process to this one. (I'd rather make it, than write about it. ) And if I were you, I'd rather use it than read about it. There is no underlying message or moral to be pondered. The work is about the work. It's about the process. It's about a work in progress. I strive to produce high quality contemporary objects that are finely crafted, obviously hand-made, and uniquely mine. Heavily saturated colors, funky combinations, and clean lines comprise the visual element in my work.

I am a pyro' with a passion for process. My approach to producing work is self-seeking and hedonistic. Each piece is made one at a time, using traditional glassblowing tools. I am the maker and designer. I work from a 2000+ degree furnace containing clear molten glass. At this temperature glass is liquid, and is very fluid. Imagine molasses at the end of a stick... that kind of consistancy. Colored glass is applied to each individual piece, enabling me to work from a virtually endless color pallette. I use only the finest base and colored glass available, in an attempt to produce some of the finest glassware ever.

The rest is about trial and error, patience, persistance, etc, etc, blah, blah and blah.

Each piece leads to the next, one piece at a time.

TONY CRAY

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