http://www.kog.com/Hot/Hot1.html

Born in 1971 in Kent, England, Michael was drawn towards design at a young age. In 1989 he received his diploma in Product Design from the Kent Institute of Art and Design. Then it was on to Wolverhampton University where he discovered his affinity for glass blowing and love of the craft.

The graduate program at Illinois State University brought Michael to the United States. In May of 1998, Michael received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Illinois State University. In September he began building the hot shop he designed for Kokomo Opalescent Glass in Kokomo, Indiana. In January 1999 the furnaces were lit. Currently, Michael is designing and creating a unique collection of functional hand blown glass objects for the KOG Hot Glass Studio.

Artistic Statement

The designs I develop for the KOG Hot Glass Studio utilize a wide variety of blowing techniques and approaches to the functional glass object. I like to try something new or different with each design. With the Colorfield series, I developed a process of winding separate colored glass bands on top of each other in order too build a form in which those colors can blend in subtle ways or juxtapose each other's vivid hues. I am exploring the concepts and conventions of function with the Space Ware collection. The Anti-Gravity Martini and the Martian Martini challenge the traditional form of the martini glass in a playful way. Whether developing a new technical processes or taking an old one in new directions, I enjoy pushing myself as a glass blower and as a designer. This helps keep the work challenging for me to make and hopefully keeps the designs fresh and unique for the viewer.

Education

• 1998 Master of Fine Arts Degree, Illinois State University, Normal, IL

• 1996 Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA

• 1993 Bachelor of Art Degree with Honors in Glass, Wolverhampton West Midlands, United Kingdom

• 1989 BTEC National Diploma in Product Design, Kent Institute of Art, Medway, Kent, United Kingdom

Representative Galleries and Collections

• Pistachios, Chicago, IL

• Artworks, Muncie, IN

• McLean County Art Center, Bloomington, IL

• Jack and Linda Ritter, Bloomington, IL private collection

• Creative Glass Center Millville, NJ permanent collection

• Illinois State University Art Gallery, Bloomington, IL