Popular art media makes its way into Columbus

          The growingly popular art media called glassblowing, has surfaced in Columbus with two studios that are offering new classes. The art media is becoming more and more popular around the Columbus area, despite how long the media has been around. Glass Axis and the Hot Shop at the Franklin Park Conservatory offer new classes for those interested in trying out the cool art technique.

          Glassblowing, or glassforming, is a technique that inflates molten glass into a bubble and is manipulated into different shapes and sizes. According to Charlotte Potter, manager of her own glass studio, glassblowing is art that is "shaped with your breath". These techniques are used to create vases and other sculptures. 

          There are several tools involved in creating the art such as: a lampworker, a blowpipe, shears, paddles and tweezers. A lampworker is used to shape the glass, where as a blowpipe is used to inflate the glass by blowing into the long tube. Shears and tweezers are small tools used to cut and pick off bits of the glass. Paddles are wooden boards that form flat surfaces such as the bottom of a vase.

          Starting at 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit, the glass appears almost white hot. The glass is then shaped and maneuvered as it begins to cool. Potter explains that the glass "feels like taffy" when it's being shaped. Once the piece is finished, it is placed in a kiln and sits for 24 hours.
          The Glass Axis teaches and demonstrates the art of glassblowing at its studio, which is located at 610 West Town St. in Columbus. What began as a traveling hot spot is now a non-profit studio with an upcoming gallery. For more information on the Glass Axis, visit glassaxis.org.
          The Hot Shop at the Franklin Park Conservatory now offers classes for anyone over the age of 15 to make a personal glass piece. Demonstrations and classes are given by professional glassblowers, or gaffers. Daily demonstrations are also done outdoors when weather permitting. For those interested in visiting the Hot Shop at the Franklin Park Conservatory, check out fpconservatory.org.
          

          

       

A blowpipe is used to inflate the glass bubble

Finished pieces of glassblowing art

Shears are used to cut the glass

Prodigy Painter Makes Millions

          Imagine what it would be like to know exactly what you wanted to do with your life at only 11 years old. Most kids want to be an astronaut, superstar, or professional athlete when they grow up. As for Kieron Williamson, he has his life in check. The professional artist decided to drop out of school and dedicate his life to painting less than a year ago.
          As one of the world's youngest and most internationally known selling artists, Kieron spends his time painting, playing football, researching and keeping up with math and english.
          He lives in Norfolk, England and began painting at just five years old. While on his family's first holiday in Cornwall, Kieron was inspired and asked for a drawing pad. Ever since, the boy has created art well beyond his years and continues to impress people all over the world.
          Although he began with sketching, Kieron's media of interest is oil painting. When asked why he likes to paint he explains, "I like oil paints because they are a lot more forgiving than watercolors and you get a really nice texture with them...I like painting winter scenes because of the sharp light, but I love the harvest season where you get the yellowy red colors."
          Kieron's most expensive painting sold for 45 thousand British pounds, which equals about 72 thousand U.S. dollars. Over the past five years, the prodigy earned 1.5 million pounds, or 2.4 million U.S. dollars. With the money he made, Kieron bought his family a new house when he was only eight years old.
          Because Kieron makes so much money, his parents try their best to make sure people do not take advantage of the boy. They worry that his potential fame will take away from a normal childhood. Kieron's mother, Michelle Williamson says, "He's a very lucky boy, but as parents we just have to say no to a lot of things to give him a normal life."
          His most recent exhibition took place at the Picturecraft Gallery in Holk, a small town near Norfolk. From July 18-30th, Kieron displayed his latest collection of outdoor oil paintings. With such a successful show, he plans to open up another collection. The next exhibition date and location have not yet been determined.
          Kieron Williamson, the painting prodigy, is a huge success for only an 11-year old boy and has a passion for art that is beyond extraordinary. He continues to surprise his audience with his beautiful art and leaves them wondering what else he has in store.
         
        

Williamson displays his work in progress

"Blakeney Sunrise" - by Kieron Williamson