Tag Archive: michael janis

update: dc apprenticeship and new donor perk added

Sign up here to receive the DAM newsletter.

The apprenticeship project continues! In 9 days I will drive down to Washington DC to begin a 6-week internship with several DC area artists. Part of a year-long project that will keep daMuse on the road, as many of you already know my goal is to document the day-to-day life of the working artist.

I’m preparing for the 6+ hour drive – know any shortcuts?

I suppose I could have just planned a road trip to visit artists around the country, asking questions, taking lots of pictures, shooting video – but that felt incomplete. Instead, I wanted to develop a solid understanding of the how/why/when/what that makes this a well-lived life, so I am getting my hands dirty as an intern – in many cases jumping out of my comfort zone and into their studios, working in mediums unknown to these hands (like glass), sweeping floors, conditioning clay, gathering supplies – and whatever else they need me to do.

Dina Varano in her Connecticut studio

My first internship, with jewelry artist Dina Varano in Connecticut, was a quiet one, working in a studio nestled in the woods, away from the distractions of the outside world.

The DC internship promises to be a lively experience in an arts complex that is home to several busy studios and more than two dozen artists.  I will make sure I’m ready for the “Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore” moment once I get there!

The main group of artists I will be working with are listed here today, but there are several others that I am excited about and I will introduce you to them as the internship progresses.

{click image to enlarge}

I could not do this without the support of my readers.  Heartfelt thanks to those who already made a donation (and if you haven’t received your donor perks yet, please let me know).  For those of you just finding out about this project, you can read more about donor perks here.  I’m adding a new perk today – this time for a larger donation (but there are really cool perks for small donations too!).

Donate $250 and you will receive a bounty of good things (scroll down to the bottom of that page to see the perks for this donor level)


All donations are accepted and deeply appreciated – large OR small.  To make a donation in another amount, click here.

Read more about the artists in previous apprenticeship project posts here and here.

I can’t wait to share more about these wonderful artists and the life they have crafted! I’ll keep you ‘posted’. Have a great weekend!

high5 glass: michael janis’ glass powder images

Sign up here to receive the DAM newsletter.

These intricate glass powder drawings are the work of Washington School of Glass Co-Director Michael Janis. An architect for many years, Janis loved the formal aesthetic of the drawing process and as he transitioned from architect to artist this process became the foundation for his work with glass.

[nonmember]The remainder of this archived post is for Members Only. Click here to become a member or to get a one day pass. If you are a member, please login to view the post. [/nonmember]

[private_archives]

janis_thetower

The Tower, Tarot Card Series
cast glass with sgrafitto glass powder imagery, 18″ x 36″ x 2″

Janis developed the sgraffito technique he uses, manipulating glass dust into powerful images that beg you to lean in for a closer look. He sifts powder onto glass sheets, scraping and scratching the black glass dust to create drawings that are soulful and questioning. The drawings are fired, fusing the glass powder to the glass sheet, which allows him to build up the imagery by fusing several layers of drawings together.

janis_wordsleftunsaid

Words Left Unsaid
kilncast glass, steel, glass powder imagery, 12″ x 12″ x 1″

Often mistaken for photographs, the depth of the layered images help the viewer experience a sense of falling into the story. With names like “Words Left Unsaid” and “Who But You Would Let Me In,” the titles speak volumes and each piece delivers on the promise its name implies.

 

janis_luckchanceandfate

Luck, Chance and Fate
engraved fused glass with glass powder imagery, each 18″ x 8″ x 4″

 

janis_fatedetail

Fate, detail

As I strive to translate ideas and concepts, taken many times from found objects, life experiences and popular culture, I often combine them with text to provide clues to content and meanings.

janis_whobutyouwouldtakemein

Who But You Would Take Me In
kilncast glass, steel, glass powder imagery, 12″ x 12″ x 1″

As in old blueprints, the images and words are equal in importance; written information crosses over or lines up as soldiers in formation. In my work, text adds to the visual composition, and evokes wandering through thoughts and memories.

janis_themagician

The Magician, Tarot Card Series
 cast glass, steel, glass powder imagery 18″ x 36″ x 2″

In this documentary about the artist we see Janis at work creating one of his detailed drawings.  He talks about the process and shares some thoughts about taking an essentially flat drawing and shaping it into a three dimensional sculpture.

Links:

Michael Janis’ website

Washington Glass School

More about the High5 series here

High5 features Mary Van Cline

High5 features Lino Tagliapietra Makes a Cane

More layered glass images from the DAM archives:

Miriam DiFiore’s Painting with Glass

Carol Cohen’s Layered Glass Sculptures

High5 Update

Make sure to look for the High5 afternoon posts in the ‘Latest Post’ category on the front page of DAMuse, (just under the featured post) and keep watching the sidebar – this morning I added another school to the list and several additional books under ‘Inspiration For All’.
[/private_archives]