First off, tell us a little about yourself!
Well, my name is Kelly Lowe, and I’m a full time professional glassblower out of my single artist studio, which I’ve imaginatively named “Kelly Lowe Glass”. I know, I know, I could’ve went for something a little more esoteric or interesting, but I thought this name would very simply describe what I do… and if you’re wondering how THAT panned out, well, you can talk to my disappointed would-be customers over the years who have phoned to see if I can fix their windshield. I guess if I were writing a book on business, I could probably use that as an anecdote or something on “communicating effectively”, but I’m still happy with the name since it’s mine... it’s my business, and I’m proud of it.
I’m primarily a local artist, working for businesses and individuals around Hamilton, Ontario, making awards, fine art, ornaments and pretty much anything else, it’s possible to make by slogging hot molten glass around my workshop. I don’t use molds, so everything is fully handmade – usually blown or sculpted – which is important to me, and to my customers.
There’s a certain special feeling I think, buying from an artisan who is either handmade or local, in that you know your purchase keeps a unique spark alive in the world rather than everything being generic and mass produced. I’m very grateful to my customers for keeping my spark alive, since I get to do what I love full time, but I’m also grateful to anyone who chooses to buy non-generic.
Oh yeah, I’m also in my early thirties, have black hair and my favorite color is blue. I play way too much Plants vs. Zombies, am a lifelong vegetarian, and a lackluster dancer at best.
How did you start creating your artwork, and how long have you been doing it?
I started by going to school for it. Yeah, there was a glassblowing program – I remember meeting other students in the cafeteria and them laughing and saying stuff like: “yeah right, and I’m in the basket weaving program” before they realized I was serious. It was a great time, and I learned a lot. So that was three years, after which I apprenticed under/assisted some very talented artists throughout the Southern Ontario region.
For the second part of the question: I’ve been a full time glassblower for 13 years, including my time at school.
Where do you get your inspiration from? I know it’ll probably sound trite to say “everywhere”, but it’s the truth. I like to hike in the woods around Hamilton, and nothing is a greater inspiration than nature.
My family, for sure: they all see the world so differently that talking to them I’m constantly having to tie my mind in knots, in a good way, realizing that: “oh, that’s a different viewpoint… and totally valid.” They’re unique, strong people, who leave such a mark on me that I can’t help but bring that influence to my art. My boyfriend, who is a photographer, makes me want to try to see the world differently: we’ll be somewhere and out will come his camera and he’ll take a shot – and I won’t have a clue what he saw until I see the picture on his screen, and even then I often scratch my head and wonder if we were in the same place. Actually let me just say “people” influence me. How can they not? They’re the most impactful things we encounter in our day to day lives, and they each leave such a mark.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Haha... is there any more space? I think I’ll just finish this off with a thank you to Anna for featuring me. If there’s one way independent artists are going to continue making our work available to the world, it’s going to be through exposure and the support of each other. Thank you, and good luck with your jewelry!
Thank for the lovely interview Kelly!
