Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bryan Randa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Bryan , thanks for joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
I have been able to earn a full time living from my work for 10 years or so now . I started working 3 days a week with regular jobs , carpentry and landscaping and then 4 days a week learning / assisting glass blowing at a studio in Sandwich MA . Day one I was a sponge absorbing knowledge on glass blowing and running a business.hustled day to day to grow and develope skills . Major milestones have been having my first solo show at the sandwich glass museum and building my own studio I would say along with joining certain galleries and businesses to push me to develop and sell new work .
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I moved from the midwest to attend art school in Boston MA and found McDermott glass studio in Sandwich MA when I arrived on Cape Cod . Here I began an apprenticeship of what would be 10 years . After falling in love with glass and the process of making glass art I decided to abandon school and continue developing my glass skills.
With having great mentors I learned quickly and got many hours in assisting in production glass making .
Over the years I developed my own work and focused on sculpture with glass in both flame working and furnace work .
what sets me apart from others Is my eye for proportional sculptures with great detail and articulation of form.
Making sea life and a variety of animal life . Making mostly sculpture I still take on custom orders for free form blown vessels , table ware and glass lighting for homes and restaurants . I enjoy working closely with customers on custom projects and bringing ideas to life and seeing a customer enjoy their dreams .
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
freedom of my life and work balance is priceless and wouldn’t change a thing !
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Ive had many times in the beginning of thinking it wasn’t going to be enough to make a living or I wasn’t good enough but moments always arrived to give me confidence and keep me going . It was either and order here or order there when I needed it most or my peers that gave me inspiration that we are all in it together and never ever give up and it will only get better . Having the skill and determination are priority but having a great support system and luck /karma have proven to play a monumental role.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://randaglass.com
- Instagram: randaglass
- Facebook: randaglass
Image Credits
Andrew iannazzi for som photos