For Marty White Elk Holmes, glass blwoing is about color, cyclical
process and spiritual quest. "My love of glass comes from the
ability to get a color that gives a feeling. I'm creating color that
makes people smile and inspired uplifting feelings", he says.
It's all very natural, he explains, "Human means we are made of
colors and we are also made of water. Glass comes from the ocean. The
ocean crates the sand and I take the sand and throw it into a fire
and it becomes molten glass. then I blow vessels that hold water again."
That connection is very personal for Holmes. "It helps me on my
journey as I look into the mystery of what we really are." His
search produces visions which is represented in the work he produces.
That work takes the form of bowls, vases, goblets, candy dishes and
oil lamps. His current style incroporates flower forms and he says
he's working on a new design that will use stars,. "By the end
of the year, I should have constellations in large bowls."
The works are created with classic techniques, he says. "I use
off-hand blowing, no molds or grinding. Just a couple of small tools."
ADallas native, Holmes came to Colorado on an assignment 14 years
ago. "I was doing landscape work and the people I worked for
bought a restaurant here in Estes. They asked me to be the
landscaper. Once I got here, I couldn't leave".
He worked as a crapenter for a time and that brought him to a local
glass blower. "I helped him build his studio and we got to be
friends. So when he got to the point that he needed an apprentice, I
jumped at the chance."
His work progressed and so did his life. Along the way, he married Jo
Ann, who is now his business manager and, 14 months ago, Elijah was born.
"Elijah was really our big inspiration for building our own
studio in our home so I could stay home with him." he says.So
not only is he a stay-at-home dad, he works in the studio every
chance he gets and that keeps him very busy. "It takes a
tremendous amount of work keeping the studio running. You have to be
a welder and carpenter as well as a glass blower." But he
doesn't mind the work. "I'm in love with glass blowing and I
grow more in love with it every day.
Holmes' work can be seen at the Rachael Collection in Aspen,
Colorado, A Place on Earth in Vail, and the Estes Park Glassworks
Studio, as well as in Boulder, Colorado at the Mackin Katz Gallery.