Glass as Art: Randall Perkins, A Retrospect

As we enjoy wine, we do not often think of the vessel, not the barrel, but the glass.  Wine is conditioned in glass, stored in glass, decanted in glass and ultimately served in glass.  Glass, in essence, is indispensible to modern wine.  How often do you think of wine and glass as an art form, other than the craft that produces the delicious nectar one imbibes from said glass?  

Randall Perkins is a glass blower that looks beyond the normal usage of glass in relation to wine.  He takes his inspiration straight from the grape itself for his creations. His work has been exhibited locally at the Rogue Gallery and ArtCenter during last years’ Art in Bloom celebration.

Randall is a polymath, an individual who excels in multiple fields of the arts and sciences. He has studied Computer Science and is employed as a Data Warehouse Specialist, but in his spare time, he is an accomplished glass blower, cheese maker, baker and gourmet chef.  I would not be surprised if he also clogs and writes mini-operatic arias on the side.

Randall started out as a chemist in college and got into glassblowing because he was breaking so much chemical glassware. Instead of paying the fees to replace the custom glass, he learned how to blow and repair it himself.  His budding interest took him to a glass art apprenticeship in Mexico City and back to the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, where he studied under famed American Glass Artist Marvin Lipofsky. It was during this time in 1979 he met Venetian glass blowing master, Gianni Toso. He moved to Venice to apprentice under Toso.  Randall ultimately returned to Northern Cali and built Pfeiffer Ridge Glass Studio in Big Sur and enjoyed life as an artist. But the reality of being a starving artist set in after five years and he returned to school to get a second degree in computer science.  

In addition to working full time and blowing glass, Randall is a devoted husband to his wife, Barb.

Barb is an AVP of Human Resources, and is also quite accomplished outside the workplace. Barb is a Certified Small Animal Massage Practitioner and owns a “paws-itively healing” company called Happy Dog Massage. 

Randall takes his inspiration from nature and Barb supplies him with plenty of inspiration. She is an accomplished gardener and has a beautiful garden at their lovely home.  Last year, Barb was selected by the American Association of UniversityWomen as one of six homes in Medford to exhibit her garden in a one day showing.  

Glass Grass

Flowers

In short, Barb is also Randall’s muse. Together they have a website, Gardens and Glass, where you can learn more about Randall, Barb and Harris (their happy furry friend). 

  

Harris

You can also see Randall’s art in person at the 7th and last show of Art for the Home & Garden in Ashland on June 6-8, at 421 Prim St., Ashland, OR. I suggest you not miss this unique experience - 2 Ashland ladies clear out their home to host  26 regional artists in a fabulous showcase.

Here is a sampling of Randall's work.

Fiddleheads

Clear Grape Clusters

Tree Sprite

Peppers