“Beautiful Glass Orbs, Invite Viewers Into Another World” By Karen L McCarty
I recently spoke with an ambitious, young artist who works with an incredible artistic medium. I had never met someone who works with material that must first be heated to a temperature of 2,000 degrees in order to create her gorgeous, colorful shapes. I found this interview fascinating and I believe you will too.
Audrey Nall melts glass rods to a semi-honey like liquid, using a special torch, heated to an extremely high temperature. She then forms various shapes in layers of color. Her orbs are like swirls of various colors, that invite the viewer to experience another world of dimension.
When Audrey was just a teen, she accompanied her school class on a field trip to Pigeon Forge. While there, Audrey was attracted to a Glass Artist’s shop. She feel in love with the art and began her journey to explore this medium.
Audrey started researching online and collecting various tools in order to experience making the beautiful glass objects she had discovered in the Pigeon Forge shop. She made her own set-up; there were torches (small ones at first), oxygen, gas and other implements needed for her work. There were no studios within 1 1/2 hours of home but she was encouraged by her parents, who also suggested she record each step for safety. She tells me, as she progressed, she found joy in experimentation. In December, 2020 she discovered and delved into online video tutorials. Then, after three years of research she reached out to a famous glass artist. He suggested she contact Grateful Glass Studio in Asheville. She and her father took a trip to meet him and her interest grew.
Today, Audrey melts borosilicate glass; layering various types of glass to create the myriad of colors found in her orbs. She confided that her artistic journey has taught her about herself, as emotions or feeling are displayed in the work. Audrey would like others to experience that same introspection as they examine each little world of colors and consider their inner thoughts and feelings.
Audrey shared she has an interest in the medical field, which may take her on another life journey. I believe, this extraordinary lady is one of those rare people who will find success in whatever motivates her. For the moment, she has mastered the art of glass blowing and we, the White Rabbit Fine Art Gallery, are certainly glad she did.
Please take the short trip to The White Rabbit Fine Art Gallery in Travelers Rest and ask our Decent to show you Audrey Nall’s superior workmanship. And, before you depart, don’t forget to sign our guest book and leave Audrey a note as to what gazing into her tiny orbs might have meant to you personally. You’ll be glad you journeyed inside.
Each orb becomes its own tiny glass world, inviting us to pause, wonder, and discover something new within ourselves.Each orb becomes its own tiny glass world, inviting us to pause, wonder, and discover something new within ourselves.
See more of Audrey’s work at the Arch Gallery in Pendleton Square, on Facebook, at Audrey.nall.l or Instagram: www.instagram.com/mystic.flameworks/