This week's featured artist needs no intro.. simply because I cannot possibly come up with one interesting enough or funny enough to do him any justice. You will soon understand why. So I'll let his interview speak for itself. Here he is... Brian Western of
westernartglass. One of the funniest people you'll ever meet! I guarantee that by the end of the interview, you will have the urge to hang out and have beers with him just to see what interesting things he says next!
By the way, I've added more questions to the standard interview. I'll be doing that as other random questions pop into mind, just because people intrigue me and I'm nosy. :)
......................... the interview .........................
A random fun fact about yourself:The hospital I was born in, is now a nursing home.
The first 3 random words that pop into your mind:ooze wrinkle spackle
What's your favorite read of all time?What Men Live By by Leo Tolstoy and Leaf by Niggle by J.R.R. Tolkien
Any guilty pleasures?Oozing mud in-between my toes and extracting belly-button lint from my navel--I like fried foods!
If you could be any place in the world right now, where would it be?Forty years ago, behind the sheds of my Grandparents place--Otto und Emma--nosing around the dirt lane in a small prairie town of Saskatchewan, Canada.
(Ok, now onto business)How would you describe your work?Eclectically organic, simple lines–funky synergy of old world and off kilter with plenty of band-aids to boot.
How long have you been at it?
Thirty odd years of glass nibblin’, plus hours and hours of cartoon drawing as a wee lad during marathon sermons, missionary roust-abouts and general Bible verse popcorn at the local chapel I attended with me fambly–I mastered the contours of one fellow’s head–sporting a meaty looking red growth on his bald pate–in particular.
So for you, is it an innate talent or practice makes perfect?Was I an inmate? well my father had a couple of favorite salutations for me–“You’re breaking your mother’s heart” and “When you land in the penitentiary, don’t expect me to visit.”
From where/how do you find inspiration?I’m pleased to announce that I’ve read War and Peace by Tolstoy, The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky and listened to all of Mozart’s piano concertos.
What was your most memorable creative experience?Discovering that I could create curved leaf designs from the sides of abandoned beer and wine bottles.
What do you do when your inspiration and creativity is tapped?Tap my foot along with Howlin’ Wolf, Django, or some classical cartoon music.
Any memorable low points that you've learned from?Um....
What is your formula for success?Lots of hand gestures, complete control of my eyebrows, and a few head nods thrown in for good measure.
Was there a moment when you realized that you'd achieved success?I’m a bit of a rumpled failed artist, but I enjoy making antique glass honey bees for bee keepers, and female deer ticks and mosquitoes for entomologists and mosquito control pilots, or a ginkgo leaf for somebody to send to their childhood friend in France that grew a ginkgo tree in their front yard–that’s what I’m talkin’ about!
Any advice for those having a bad case of artist woes?
Two words–Belgian Trappist Ales!
When not hard at work on your designs, what would we most likely find you doing?Noodling on my 1914 Gibson A4 mandolin...walking my neighborhood in search of interesting objects of nature...watching foreign films with a large bowl of buttered popcorn.
In a parallel universe where you are not an amazing artist, what would you be?Brassiere fitter extra ordinaire!
Anything else you'd like to add that I didn't ask about?Swimming is exhilarating and giving foot massages to my wife gives me goose bumps–whheeee!
What are some of your favorite etsy shops?paperandglue.etsy.com is my favorite Canadian disc-jockey that has a soft spot for fitting large heads with Winnipegian toques–she has a fairly large head herself with very large hair!
experimetal.etsy.com is my favorite crazy person that has a knack for creating outlandish pieces from metal and assorted mandibles mit gravy.
sarahhornik.etsy.com is my favorite subliminal creator of swirly molten glass compositions–we’re in a short story together that is in process about an elevator mishap and the end of the world...
Ngan is my favorite purveyor of simple sophisticated esoteric (that’ll be one prescription of Valium please).
fricdementol.etsy.com is my favorite bilingual unique phraseologist–plus a cool use of line und colour in her compositions.
Nik is my favorite person to tease...although she generally is too clever for me old bag o’ tricks–her pieces have a timeless quality about ‘em.
Noelle is my favorite!!!!
tinctory.etsy.com has phantastic concoctions that defy description.
lilfishstudios.etsy.com makes phenomenal felted acorns and other nature naturals–she’s from Minnesota, dontcha know?
ELBfoto.etsy.com Ericka is another Minnesotan that wields a thought provoking camera...
jewelrybynatsuko.etsy.com Natsuko's creations combining metal with glass enamel knock my socks off--hooray!
kitlane.etsy.com crafts wonderful sensible nonsense writty paired with cool felted organisms...
...there are too many favorites, and I’m beginning to become abstracted und woozy....
What's at the top of your etsy wish list?A closet full of xenotees
Any suggestions for my next featured artist?Any of my favorites? Salute!
And last but not least, my psychologist side was inspired by your Rorschach mobile (which I love!...pictured right) and I had to throw in this final question....
What might this be?When my wife and I look into each other's eyes--up close--we each have one eye. Or, Emma Kirkby's mouth as she soars between Mozart's Requiem. Or, where errant pattern pieces for intricate art glass pieces end up. Or, the opening of the Katie Couric Health Special Oscopy. Or, the end.
.......................... end interview .........................
Thank you for the interview, Brian! You are a riot as always!
