Taming Lightning

Intro Music: Boost by Joakim Karud www.joakimkarud.com https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud www.patreon.com/joakimkarud

Interlude Music: Flix and Chill by Joakim Karud

Outro Music: The Process by LAKEY INSPIRED WWW.LAKEYINSPIRED.COM https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired www.patreon.com/lakeyinspired

Hello Lightning Tamers, this is episode number 15, and In today's podcast we have the Plasma Yoda, Ed Kirshner of Aurora Sculpture. He's been working on in Plasma for roughly over 20+ years.

Inspired the natural occurance of plasma, such as the aurora borealis, he'd creates air tight vessels using a glass solder technique with ready-made and productions glass object, or fabricated and collaborations with Skilled glassblowers at both the Torch and Furnace. Notably Bernd Weinmayer, Jaime Guerrero, and Mitch LaPlante in which the interplay of geometry of glass shape and volume are a big player in discovering various patterns and displays.

We'll talk about Kirshner's background pre-glass, where he's studied architecture and sculpture at Cornell University, the University of California, Berkely, and the Oskar Kokoschka School in Austria. Having work represented in the US and internationally we'll talk about his current work and projects, Teaching and the Blow and Glow Class at Pittsburgh Glass Center, and his thoughts on the future of Plasma and the Plasma Art Alliance.

Plasma is so very layered in information and technique with varying fields of knowledge, and this is no different from any practice of any medium. The following are my thoughts after Blow and Glow Plasma workshop at PGC, the purpose of workshops, Navigating expectations with work made, and how to get the best out of your experience.

Checkout www.taminglightning.net for more!

Plasma Art Alliance

www.plasmaartalliance.com

Intro Music: Boost by Joakim Karud www.joakimkarud.com https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud ​www.patreon.com/joakimkarud

Outro Music: The Process by LAKEY INSPIRED WWW.LAKEYINSPIRED.COM https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired www.patreon.com/lakeyinspired

Hello Lightning Tamers! ​ This is episode 14! In today's podcast we have Artist and Maker Danielle James aka DJ Neon, who is currently based in Raleigh, North Carolina as an apprentice at Glas Studio. She is known for her series "signs of the times: a single lady's life in neon" which draws the most memorable moments and online messages from the personal experiences of women using modern online dating services. We'll hear about her artistic background in metals and jewelry, her Neon origin at Glas, and more.

Checkout www.taminglightning.net for more!

Intro Music: Boost by Joakim Karud www.joakimkarud.com https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud ​www.patreon.com/joakimkarud

Outro Music: The Process by LAKEY INSPIRED WWW.LAKEYINSPIRED.COM https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired www.patreon.com/lakeyinspired

Hello Lightning Tamers! This is episode 13! In today's podcast we have Philadelphia Artist Eve Hoyt of Evening Neon. Who began her journey in neon in late 80's followed by several years working in the neon sign industry. Bored with making signs but in love with the medium of neon, she set up her own neon studio where she could be free to explore the possibilities of neon as an art form.

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Intro Music: Boost by Joakim Karud

www.joakimkarud.com

https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud

​www.patreon.com/joakimkarud

Outro Music: The Process by LAKEY INSPIRED

WWW.LAKEYINSPIRED.COM

https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired

www.patreon.com/lakeyinspired

Read more at www.taminglightning.net

Intro Music: Boost by Joakim Karud www.joakimkarud.com https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud ​www.patreon.com/joakimkarud

Outro Music: The Process by LAKEY INSPIRED WWW.LAKEYINSPIRED.COM https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired www.patreon.com/lakeyinspired This is episode 12! In today's podcast we have the Austin, Texan artist Ben Livingston who is internationally known for his neon/light sculpture. He is the inventor of an opalescent color palette for neon, using a variety of UV sensitive phosphorescent compounds and minerals. Ben originally observed these glowing compounds in New Zealand in 1985 which ultimately led to his signature work- luminous tubes he calls 'Nightsticks' or 'Spirit Antennae'. He's a multi-medium artist of a variety materials and skill-set, a musician/songwriter, and avid storyteller as you'll discover shortly. We get a great story of his neon journey, thriving in the face of recent health problems, and reveal of what goes into his opalescent color palette, which I hope will gift you with appreciation for the journey, and inspires you explore and play in your work and life.

See more at www.taminglighting.net

Hello Lightning Tamers! This episode 11! In today's podcast, we have Artist and Educator, Sarah Blood. We couldn't have found a better time to release this podcast, than now. As we recently finished up episode 10 talking about the process of plasma, we must consider how we use it as a medium. Sarah talks about her neon origin, her use of light and material, education and misconceptions of neon.

Show Notes

Intro Music: Boost by Joakim Karud www.joakimkarud.com https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud www.patreon.com/joakimkarud

Outro Music: The Process by LAKEY INSPIRED WWW.LAKEYINSPIRED.COM https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired www.patreon.com/lakeyinspired

Check www.taminglightning.net for the full post!

Hello Lightning Tamers,

This is Episode number Ten! " Light up your World with Plasma" Thank you for patience

It's been long 7 months, since our last podcast episode.A much needed hiatus after my Dad had passed away. I've been struggling to find my light, but I knew my Dad wanted me to keep going and to do something I love, and this podcast and exploring this medium is definitely part of that.

In today's episode I'll be talking about the first plasma class offered at Pittsburgh Glass Center taught during the 2018 Summer intensive by wayne and Mundy. In which future episodes in the line up will about the Plasma Resources compiled for that class by Anders Mikkelsen who was one of our TAs.

By the end of this podcast I hope to leave you with overview on that class, a few things I've learned leading up the class, and some fundamental guidelines for making Plasma Glass. Mind you the guidelines will continue to be modified and expanded upon as we have more people practicing and sharing their discoveries.

Show Notes

Intro Music: Boost by Joakim Karud www.joakimkarud.com https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud www.patreon.com/joakimkarud

Outro Music: The Process by LAKEY INSPIRED WWW.LAKEYINSPIRED.COM https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired www.patreon.com/lakeyinspired

2:45 Episode Begins

15:35 Fundamental Guidelines

17:00 Vessel Crafting

22:05 Electrode Attachment Methods

24:38 Electrode Placement

26:00 Alchemy

26:45 Noble Gases

27:47 Inert Gas: Nitrogen

28:41 Halogens: Bromine and Iodine

30:18 Pumping & Filling Technique

31:34 Filling Recipe & Gas Mixture

32:10 Design Theory

33:31 Filling Pressure & Gas usage

34:48 Discharge Modes is Plasma

37:27 Technology: Plasma Drivers

Check www.taminglightning.net for the full post!

Hello Lightning Tamers, This is Episode number Nine! Thank you for patience as there was a lot going on in may especially with my trip to Venice, Italy, where I was attending the Glass Art Society Conference in Murano. While I wasn't able to get any on-site interviews(I mean come on, it's Venice), I was able to connect with many of the participants in the Light, Neon, and plasma exhibition called Vetro Illuminato, which was curated by Pat Collentine from Episode number one, and Ed Kirshner, which directly ties into our guest for the today's Podcast, Bernd Weinmayer.

Now unlike previous episodes, I will be reading a transcript of our email conversation, this was done to remove any language barriers between us, as well as to provide a convenient

I was able to see Bernd's work in person during the exhibition, and it's even more amazing in person.

It's been quite a pleasure being able to communicate and connect with him for the podcast. Now as much as I've been following him, there's not a lot about him. Besides his website, he kind of keeps to himself, so I would consider him a "Hidden Master" in terms of someone with tremendous technical skills as a Master Scientific Glass Blower, but also as someone who could take that and free themselves as an artist. We'll learn about who he is, his exploration in glass through plasma, his relationship with Ed Kirshner, and how he grows from his technical and artistic practice.

Show Notes

Intro Music: Boost by Joakim Karud www.joakimkarud.com https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud www.patreon.com/joakimkarud

Outro Music: The Process by LAKEY INSPIRED WWW.LAKEYINSPIRED.COM https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired www.patreon.com/lakeyinspired

Check www.taminglightning.net for the full post!

Thank You for listening to the Taming Lightning Podcast.

I'd like to thank Bernd Weinmayer for taking time away from his work and projects for the email interview, and for sharing with us about himself and his work.

Also, I'd like to thank Pittsburgh Glass Center for supporting me as a place of research and inspiration, as well as encouraging me to pursue this project, and the Plasma Art Alliance where I have access to the well of knowledge and connects me to some amazing people.

Keep an eye out for more classes at Pittsburgh Glass Center as we work to provide a space for learning neon and plasma. Check it out on the web at www.pittsburghglasscenter.org or call our studio at 412-365-2145

If you like to support this, simply go to percyechols.com and look for the tab "Taming Lighting" or by typing in taminglightning.net, and click subscribe, other options for support is donations through either Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee, links are provided on the website. Feel free to share, comment, and subscribe. See you next time

In Today's Podcast, we'll be talking with Harriet Swarzrock an Australian glass artist who has recently finished a residency at Canberra Glassworks where she explored the use of both plasma and neon in her work.

I invited her to the podcast after seeing her posts on Facebook and Instagram. Initially hesitant to the invitation, but she was happy to share her experience as a glassblower at the beginning of a new process. Here we'll be illuminating the struggles of learning Plasma, the issues she had to overcome, as well as the role that the residency for an artist developing new work, and importance of mentorship and support. Without further ado, onto the podcast!

Show Notes

Intro Music: Boost by Joakim Karud www.joakimkarud.com https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud www.patreon.com/joakimkarud

Outro Music: The Process by LAKEY INSPIRED WWW.LAKEYINSPIRED.COM https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired www.patreon.com/lakeyinspired

Check www.taminglightning.net for the full post!

Thank You for listening to the Taming Lightning Podcast. I'd like to thank Harry for taking the time to be on the podcast, especially between residencies. And for being open to talk about her experience in working with a new and difficult medium. Also, I'd like to thank Pittsburgh Glass Center for supporting me as a place of research and inspiration, as well as encouraging me to pursue this project, and the Plasma Art Alliance where I have access to the well of knowledge and connects me to some amazing people. Keep an eye out for more classes at Pittsburgh Glass Center as we work to provide a space for learning neon and plasma. Check us out at www.pittsburghglasscenter.org or call our studio at 412-365-2145. See you next time! Percy Echols II Taming Lightning⚡

In Today's Podcast, we'll be talking with Mundy Hepburn a luminous glass artist who has been making lights since 1976 with over 30 years of experience working in Plasma. In his work, he embraces his inner mad scientist and alchemist with his studio containing several different tanks of noble gases, tubing, valves, gauges, and other dodads. His approach is especially unique in that he uses soft glass, such that seen in furnace glassblowing, to create life-sized plasma lamps and vessels, as well his use of neon torches for shaping hand pulled glass tubing, creating distinct forms and gestures.

Mundy has been a great source of wisdom, knowledge, encouragement, as well as having a personality of seemingly boundless energy. I appreciate all he's done as a friend and mentor, and very excited to have him as an instructor at Pittsburgh Glass Center this summer. Without further ado, onto the podcast!

Show Notes

Intro Music: Boost by Jakim Karudwww.joakimkarud.com https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud www.patreon.com/joakimkarud

Outro Music: Re-Entry by Lapse https://soundcloud.com/lapse

Check www.taminglightning.net for the full post!

Thank You for listening to the Taming Lightning Podcast. I'd like to thank Mundy for taking the time to be on the podcast, being very generous with his knowledge and continuous support! Also, I'd like to thank Pittsburgh Glass Center for supporting me as a place of research and inspiration, as well as encouraging me to pursue this project, and the Plasma Art Alliance where I have access to the well of knowledge and connects me to some amazing people. Keep an eye out for more classes at Pittsburgh Glass Center as we work to provide a space for learning neon and plasma. For more information on the 2- Night Neon and Plasma Globe workshop and Summer Intensive with Wayne Strattman and Mundy Hepburn, please check it out on the web at www.pittsburghglasscenter.org or call our studio at 412-365-2145. See you next time! Percy Echols II Taming Lightning