Reflections of the Artist - Lin McJunkin Like many glass artists, my interest in glass grew out of early experiments with ceramics. Many of my glass pieces begin as clay forms pressed into sand, plaster or metal molds. ln my studio north of Seattle, I utilize the heat of kilns and torches to transform recycled glass and metal into sculptural elements for private and public commissions. Heat is not only an essential tool in forming my work, but it's also the focusing concept of my recent work about global warming. Because of my parallel career as a science educator, I feel compelled to advocate for the health of our planet and its inhabitants in artwork that is both visually and intellectually captivating. Besides heat, light is another element that animates my work. It careens off the sharp, flint-knapped edges of thick glass plate or meanders through the labyrinth of shattered tempered glass. Light that is absorbed or reflected by chips of colored glass and vitreous enamel powders and paints also enlivens my pieces. For over 30 years, I have collaborated with architects and designers to translate my own and my clients' ideas into elegant glass panels, mostly for private settings. Now I also create larger glass and metal sculptural elements, often in consultation with art commissions and engineers, to foster environmental awareness, inspire concern, and encourage positive behaviors in a broader audience. My work has been exhibited on both coasts, and is held in numerous private and public collections, including homes, businesses, churches and hospitals in the US, Canada, Europe and South Africa. |