Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
"I Sold My First $800 Piece at 18" - The METEORIC Rise Of A Glass Artist Superstar | Feat. Avatar Glass
Matt Robertson chats with glass artist Avatar Glass to discuss his journey into the medium which started when he was only 13 years old.
Avatar recounts becoming fascinated with glass blowing as a teenager, building his own studio in high school and honing his skills despite the risks. As his technical abilities grew, Avatar developed a distinct artistic style, creating sculptural pieces inspired by science fiction and mythology that showcase his cold working techniques. The conversation also covers the importance of maintaining health and balance as a full-time glass artist, with Avatar discussing his exercise regimen, passion for golf, and navigating the recent market shifts. Overall, the episode provides an intimate glimpse into the life and creative process of a rising star in the contemporary glass art world.
Also in this episode:
- Avatar developed a distinct artistic style, starting with fume work and intricate stringer designs before moving into more complex sculptural pieces inspired by science fiction and mythology.
- Cold working techniques are a key part of Avatar's process, allowing him to create detailed elements like the "armor" and wings on his sphinx-inspired sculptures.
- Maintaining health and balance is a constant challenge for Avatar as a full-time glass artist. He has incorporated exercise, golf, and other hobbies to avoid burnout from long hours in the studio.
- Avatar felt the recent market slowdown, with less demand for mid-range "working man's" pieces, but the high-end art glass market remained strong.
- Avatar's unique name, derived from his father's interest in Hinduism and Buddhism, has been both a blessing and a curse when it comes to branding and intellectual property.
- The conversation touches on Avatar's early experimentation with psychedelics and the impact it had on his creative vision and ideas for future work.
- Avatar is highly inspired by figures like Nikola Tesla, as well as films like Interstellar, that explore themes of creativity, spirituality, and humanity's place in the universe.
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About Matt Robertson
Matt Robertson is a visionary artist who has made a significant mark in the glass art world with his unique matte-finished caricature sculptures, each reflecting pivotal moments from his life. His playful spirit shines through in his whimsical glass animal sculptures, often depicted in humorous scenarios that embody his vibrant personality. Inspired by creatures like giraffes, Robertson is captivated by the challenges of working with glass, a delicate medium that demands intense focus and energy, which he channels into his art. Each piece captures a dynamic energy, freezing it in time and offering a glimpse into his imaginative universe. After discovering his passion for glassblowing at Sheridan College in Ontario, he honed his craft in Eugene, Oregon, before returning to Canada to co-founded the Edy Roy Glass Gallery, a pioneering space that merges high art with functional glass pipes. Now based in Evergreen, Colorado, Robertson continues to evolve as a glass artist while hosting "The Robertson Stash" podcast and showcasing his work in galleries worldwide, all while advocating for contemporary glass art and its vibrant possibilities.