GLASS ART ROUND In The Beginningby
Bonnie Donahue
CLICK on above photo to learn more about this stunning piece of art!
WELCOME, Bonnie, and her Etsy shop, DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS. I am so happy that Bonnie "hearted" my DZFANTASY shop, as otherwise I might not have met her. Bonnie is not only a very talented artist, but a truly delightful person as well.
You really must visit DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS to discover for yourself, her amazing glass creations!
Bonnie has also generously decided to have a "WINNER'S CHOICE" giveaway for one of her beautiful "suncatchers". I will be sponsoring this giveaway here on DZFANTASY, so be sure to enter.
GLASS SUNCATCHER Large Plum Flower CLICK on photo to learn more about this beautiful suncatcher!
What led you to start creating your art/craft?
I’ve been playing with art, crafts, music, writing, dance and drama for most of my life. As a kid, I enjoyed making dollhouse furniture and dolls more than actually playing with them. I spent much of my time alone and in nature. Nature continues to inspire and amaze me and I’ve always thought of myself as nature in human form (in spite of the prevailing western world view of dominating nature). In pondering this question, my sense is that it’s this great love and feeling of gratitude for the gift of life that compels me to create. You can only stand so much of that before it just has to come out.
How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
Glass grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. The brilliance, transparency and luminosity of glass touches something very deep and powerful in me. What, exactly that is, is hard to say. I think there is a good reason why working with glass has become so popular at this time. My sense is that this expresses the drive of our collective human spirit to break through its self imposed limitations and allow our inner brilliance to shine! It sounds good to me, anyway.
What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?
What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?
One of the reasons I’ve stayed with glass as long as I have (12 Years!) is because I enjoy all the processes of creating it. I can make two dimensional as well as three dimensional pieces. I am able to create tremendous sculptural dimension by fusing pieces at lower temperatures. I enjoy making my own molds for casting and for slumping glass. I enjoy figuring out how to make something that no one has done before. I enjoy teaching glass classes. I really don’t think that it is possible to exhaust the possibilities of creating with glass. I’m never bored with glass.
If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?
I would have to choose the blueberry because it’s my favorite fruit. It is so squishy, tasty and pretty, and it is oh so good for you.
If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?
Rather than conveying a message per se, my greatest hope is to spark, encourage and support that inner spirit common to us all. That seems to be something that naturally comes out of me when I teach glass classes. It may be obvious, but the media used is a dim secondary concern for me than the encouragement of the spirit.
What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?
CLICK on the link below to enter Bonnie's suncatcher giveaway post.
If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?
I would have to choose the blueberry because it’s my favorite fruit. It is so squishy, tasty and pretty, and it is oh so good for you.
If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?
My next most favorite medium of expression is improvisational movement and sound. It allows the whole of me to participate in the expression of whatever the moment calls for. I’ve always been more drawn to movement rather than dance and to sound rather than music. The raw, direct expression really appeals to me. And so it follows that I’m drawn to “authentic” expression regardless of the media used. Naive or “outsider” art especially appeals to me.
What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
Rather than conveying a message per se, my greatest hope is to spark, encourage and support that inner spirit common to us all. That seems to be something that naturally comes out of me when I teach glass classes. It may be obvious, but the media used is a dim secondary concern for me than the encouragement of the spirit.
What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?
Have the courage to follow your deepest inner promptings regardless of where that may seem to lead you. Have the courage to be true to what feels deeply true for you. You may be lonely and unpopular at times, but the long term benefits far outweigh any short term detriments.
Bonnie, thank you not only for sharing your gorgeous creations with everyone, but for a wonderful interview. Also, thank you for your generous giveaway of one of your delightful "suncatchers".
CLICK on the link below to enter Bonnie's suncatcher giveaway post.
Be sure to visit DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS by clicking on the links below.
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