For our Christmas Boutique this year, we have the very talented glassblower Jeff Lowe as one of our artists in this festive and fun event.
Jeff has been practicing as a glassblower for 15 years. He helped form the Terminal City Glass Cooperative, which is Canada’s first and only non-profit, co-operative glass arts facility. You can also find him at his studio, East Van Hot Glass, named as a tribute to where he has spent his entire life and the location he makes his unique and beautiful creations.
From practical creations like tumblers and plates to decorative pumpkins and colourful paperweights, Jeff Lowe has worked to not only perfect his practice but to create beautiful goods for everyone.
We interviewed Jeff to learn more about his work, artistic vision and inspirations.
When did you get started as an artist?
I first saw glassblowers during a family trip to Mexico in the seventies, I have been mesmerized by the art of glassblowing ever since.
It took me decades, but I decided to take my first step in 2004. I enrolled in lessons at Capilano University’s Continuing Education with Joe Blow Glassworks and have been glassblowing ever since. I continued with lessons from Jeff Burnette at Joe Blow Glassworks and did summer courses at Red Deer College in Alberta, where I learned from a range of experienced glass artists.
In 2012, when Terminal City Glass Cooperative was formed in Vancouver, I was one of the first members and participated in the building of the studio. I still attend workshops that the Co-op offers and I am fortunate to work at the studio on a regular basis.
What drew you to glass blowing?
I find the versatility of glass inspirational. As someone once told me “you can make glass look like anything, but you can’t make anything look like glass.”
I absorb the varying shapes, forms and colours around me and find it magical to turn those things into glass pieces.
Do you feel like your work represents something about you?
Yes, Glassblowing is a technical and creative art form. Glassblowing allows me to experiment with new and different techniques. I’m a very technical person so I thrive working within this medium. My work shows both my creative and critical side.
How do you make your work and do you have any special techniques or tricks?
The more techniques you have, the more tools in your toolbox. The more tools, the more things you can do to make your vision come to fruition. Experience always helps.
One of the best assets is having a compatible assistant. I have an excellent assistant, Guy Hollington, that I’ve known for over 4 years. He knows exactly what to do and can bring me what is needed intuitively. I also assist for Guy. We influence and inspire one another and challenge each other every week to try new things to hone our craft.
Has your work changed over time?
I have grown into a more skilled glassblower over time: more confident in the shapes I produce, more aware of how colour and light interacts with the glass and how to use this to my advantage.
Who inspire you? What are other artists that you think are doing great work today?
I was born and raised in East Vancouver and have travelled throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Everything I have seen in my travels is inspirational.
I am inspired by other artists and past instructors, in particular, Jeff Burnette and Jeff Holmwood. I admire the work of glass artists David Patchen, Dale Chihuly and Lino Tagliapietra, who brought the Italian style of glass blowing to America.
What advice would you give a young person who wants to make a career as an artist?
- Have a Plan B. This is not the most positive advice, but it is important to be practical. It’s hard to do your craft and survive in a city that’s quite expensive. You should find a way to support yourself and pursue your art. It never has to be one or the other.
- There are many ways to get there. Techniques may change, but if you are open-minded, you’ll learn so much from the people around you and become a better artist in the process.
- Be passionate. Not only in art but in everything. It’s important to really like what you do. If you stay curious about your passions, you will feel fulfilled.
What is something that makes you laugh? (This is our year of humour!)
A good humorous movie will always do the trick. I also have two nephews age 10 and 12 and the freshness of their perspectives of life always makes me laugh.