Christina Burkhart

glasscapes@hotmail.com

Artist's Bio

I grew up as an only child in a small town in North County San Diego with both of my parents making their sole living from lost wax jewelry designs. As a child, my family was always traveling to various art shows and conventions. From my earliest memories, I was taught to ìthink outside the boxî. Instead of giving me crayolas like most children, my parents handed me water colors, a few brushes and some rock salt (that I think I may have tried to eat the rock salt at some point but thatís another story). Did I ever get to play with play-doh? Not a chance, I was given different colored high fired clay, and upon reflection, I have to admit that I was a little disappointed at the fact that I just had different shades of earth! However, as time progressed, I soon began to realize the beneficial role that art had in my life.

I soon began to find new areas of art to explore. I enrolled in a community college and have taken at least 6 different ceramics classes, Art history classes, jewelry design courses, and any other class that was appealing to my artistic endeavors. I eventually met many people through the art department that had borosilicate torch set ups, although at the time I never really gave glass much thought as far as doing it myself. A few years later when time called for me to move to Nevada, my friends that had a torch set up helped me move and helped set up a glass studio for me. They even let me borrow their torch until I could afford one of my own.

There are so many areas to explore in the world of glass that I did not realize before I worked with it. Right now, I am really experimenting and honing my techniques with beads. For the last year, I have been absolutely immersed in my work. My first beads that I made were off-centered, wonky, and must I say that they were not very appealing at all. However, after much research on the web, help from fellow artists, and hours of practice, I finally began to produce beads that I enjoyed to look at! I am always trying new techniques and designs. If a piece I am working on is not turning out as desired, I always remind myself what my beads looked like in the beginning and continue trying until I get it right. Every time I make something that I feel is better executed than the pieces that I have made previously, I then have a new standard to uphold.

I try to push the artistic side of beads as much as possible especially when it comes down to design elements. It did not take long for me to begin getting tired of making production style cane beads. I am not saying that production is not good, however, I believe it is necessary as an artist to continue pushing your limits and to stay creative in your designs.

After you have mastered the techniques you wish, you can combine them to create your own unique style and design!

Another thing I enjoy about making beads is that you can really experiment with color, which is something that I love about borosilicate glass. There are so many different outcomes for one color, and you, the artist get to unlock its secrets. Also, I have found that the color companies have a wealth of knowledge, and will always answer any questions that may arise.

At this moment in time, I feel as if I have just begun my journey in the world of borosilicate flame-working. I hope to continue my explorations in this exciting medium by continuing to make beads, and further my education with other forms in glass. I have discovered that glass is like combining all of the other creative mediums that I have worked with before into one. I truly feel as if I have found my niche.

What is my best advice to other aspiring artists? Donít give up, practice as much as your schedule and body allows, donít be afraid to ask questions, and most of all get a good education! Have fun doing what you are doing. It will show in any art that you create.