Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Danielle Collette. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Danielle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
I am grateful to say I have been able to earn a full-time living from my work, but it hasn’t been easy. As soon as I graduated, I moved to New Mexico to be closer to a side of my family I didn’t get to see very often. The only Glass related gig I was able to get was a work/trade position in which I would blow glass, outside, in the desert for Prairie Dog Glass in Santa Fe. It sustained my love for blown glass, but was an hour from where I lived and I was only able to work 1-2 times a week. After a year of living in New Mexico, I decided it was time to make a move for myself and my art career, so I packed up what I could fit in my sedan and relocated to Portland, OR. There is a very large glass community there and as soon as I could, I started contacting as many glass artists and studios as I could. I was able to meet many artists I admired and even work for some of them. I had the honor of working at Vitreluxe, Elements Glass, Gary Bodker Designs, David Schlicker Stained Glass, Savoy Studios and Lincoln City Glass Center for various lengths of time and also started my own stained glass business making jewelry and decor. I was very stubborn in making sure I kept working with glass in some capacity, even if it meant having several part time jobs to make ends meet. When I got hired at DSSG, I was offered a full time position which I worked for three years and during which time I started my side business. Years later, when I decided it was time to leave Portland, I reached out to several glass studios close to my family back in the midwest. To my deepest gratitude, Preston Art Glass Studio responded and I have been working there for the last three years while continuing to make my own work for my small business as well as more sculptural gallery pieces. I am also currently one of the Artists in Residence through Craft Alliance and their first ever Glass cohort. I credit my dedication to glass as well as my stubborn nature for all of the experiences I’ve had.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Although I didn’t start working with glass until college, I was surrounded by my Grandpa’s stained glass. I didn’t really think it was something that could be pursued as a career, so it wasn’t until I took my first glass class at Southern Illinois University Carbondale that my thinking shifted. As soon as my first project went into the kiln, I was hooked. I went on to graduate with a BFA in Sculpture and Glass and immediately started reaching out to and working with several glass studios, mostly in Portland, OR. At my current job (Preston Art Glass Studio), we do repairs, restorations, custom windows and we sell stained glass supplies. I also still have my side business making jewelry, decor and custom windows and teaching classes. In addition, I make sculptural work which I sell through Untitled Fine Art Gallery. This June I will be installing new sculptures at Craft Alliance as a showcase of the work I’ve made during my residency.
I think what sets me apart from others is my efforts to present glass in a way that is unexpected. I endeavor to make glass feel playful and interactive and a lot of my work relies on interaction or presence of the audience to be complete. I love it when I get the feedback that I have given my audience something they have never seen before with a material that originates from Medieval times. Some of my signature sculptures are these brightly colored stained glass automata; these pieces are based on vintage toys and encourage the viewer to do the unthinkable-play with glass. My work is an invitation to slow down, be present and notice the way the glass bends, colors and reflects light. My goal is to create joyful spaces, whether they are personal or public.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The work I make is a love letter to humanity-to the best parts of what makes us human. I try to embed a sense of wonder and discovery into what I make and the most satisfying moment is when you can see that magic reflected on the faces of those viewing, interacting with or wearing my work. I have gotten reviews saying that my jewelry has given boosts of confidence, that I’ve inspired someone else to try working with glass, or that my art has changed a living space for the better and that moves me to keep going and sharing and playing and discovering.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Consider artists/makers first when making purchases. There are so many people out there making everything from soaps, to clothes and art and anything else you may need, so circulating money into your own local community can start to benefit everyone. Don’t buy that Ikea print, find a farmer’s market or craft show and go buy something original! Also, pursue your own creativity! Art-making is inherent to being human and everyone deserves to experience it. This also leads to investing in your local art community if you decide to take classes!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @BrightonPlaceGlass
Image Credits
Danielle Collette