We recently connected with Michelle Hamilton and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Michelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

In the latter part of 2018, I undertook an ambitious project, committing to create 60 custom glass artworks for a pediatric hospital in Florida. This occurred during a period of professional transition as I navigated the demands of a new position at a design firm, requiring the strategic allocation of my time to ensure project deadlines and financial parameters were strictly adhered to.

The situation took an unexpected turn when my grandmother, at the age of 98 and under my care, suffered a significant injury due to a fall. As her primary caregiver and closest confidant, her well-being immediately became my paramount concern.

The following six weeks were characterized by a rigorous schedule. Early mornings were dedicated to supporting my grandmother’s recovery, days were spent fulfilling my responsibilities at the design firm, and evenings were committed to her company. Nighttime provided the only opportunity to progress on the commissioned glass artworks, a task made possible by the indispensable support of my husband. His willingness to learn and assist with certain aspects of the project was crucial in maintaining our momentum.

Despite the emotional weight of my grandmother’s passing, the project moved forward without delay, honoring the pressing timeline of the hospital’s imminent opening. The entire body of work was finalized, packaged, and dispatched within two days of her funeral.

The experience at the design firm had instilled in me a deep appreciation for the significance of meeting artistic deadlines and the integrity of one’s commitments. This chapter in my life served as an intense testament to my dedication to the arts and their capacity to withstand even the most challenging of personal circumstances.

Upon installation, the artworks transformed each elevator lobby of the hospital, reaffirming my belief in the power of art to bring solace, joy, and inspiration to spaces of healing. This belief was poignantly underscored by the reflective conversations shared with my grandmother in her final days, wherein a simple painting became a conduit for treasured memories of shared experiences and familial affection.

Ultimately, this endeavor not only tested my professional resolve but also emphasized the profound impact of art in conveying hope and comfort amidst life’s most trying moments.

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.

Certainly, I would be delighted to delve into the essence of Zaximo Studios and my personal journey in the world of glass and ceramics for your readers.

I am Michelle Hamilton, the heart and soul behind Zaximo Studios, a sanctuary where my devotion to glass and ceramic artistry is deeply rooted in the intricate beauty of the natural world. My lifelong enchantment with the botanical world and the profound complexity of oceanic life serves as the cornerstone of my work, guiding my hand as I shape glass into sculptural vessels that capture the fluidity of wind and water, and mirror the radial symmetry innate to flowers and marine organisms.

The path that led me to the craft of glass artistry was not one of happenstance but felt more akin to a predestined call. From my earliest memories, the natural world spoke to me in the language of light and color—the dappled sunlight through a canopy of leaves, the gradient of blues in the undulating sea. This dialogue with nature compelled me to explore the mediums of fused glass and ceramic engineering, where the interplay of light, color, and form could be celebrated and reimagined.

At Zaximo Studios, my offerings are an invitation to ponder and engage with art that is alive with movement. My sculptures are meticulously crafted through layers and a precise stacking methodology, creating openings that invite light and air to dance across the glass, forming a piece that seems to breathe with its surroundings. This is where my art comes to life, drawing observers into an intimate dance with the unseen, beckoning them to explore the beauty that plays in the spaces between.

What distinguishes my art is its pursuit of a fourth dimension—the captivating dance of shadow and light, where reflective colors layer upon each other, infusing each sculpture with the illusion of motion and growth that one might find in a windswept field or a coral reef swaying with the current. This is not merely the creation of an object of beauty; it is the evocation of an experience, a glimpse through a different lens at the wonders of our world.

The identity of Zaximo Studios is built upon a foundation of innovation and the veneration of the natural world through the medium of glass art. It’s a privilege to have my work acknowledged by my peers and the art community, by the distinction of multiple awards that have been featured in magazines, books, in national shows and is found in museum, corporate, government, and private collections. I was twice named as one of the international faces in “emerging ideas in new glass concepts and construction” at the international Bi-annual Bullseye show for my contributions to the evolving world of glass artistry.
My greatest pride lies in the connection that my work fosters between the observer and the art itself. The true reward for me is in knowing that my creations ignite a spark of wonder and joy, becoming a bridge to the majestic beauty found in our environment.

For those considering an engagement with Zaximo Studios, you’re not merely acquiring a glass sculpture; you’re embracing a piece of the natural world, each uniquely crafted to reflect the interconnectedness of life and designed to resonate with and enhance the ambiance of your space.

One of the unique aspects of my dual professional life is that I am deeply engrained in the commercial architecture, design, and engineering world. I am also, the Vice President of Business Development at Vessel Architecture which enriches my perspective, allowing me to infuse my art with an understanding of the built environment. My collaboration with architects and designers offers me the invaluable insight into the emotional fabric of the spaces we inhabit—from places of work and leisure to healing and residence.
This dual expertise enables me to create pieces that not only serve as aesthetic enhancements but also as integral elements of architectural spaces, fostering an environment of tranquility, inspiration, and community. Each sculpture is thus a harmonious extension of the space it adorns, crafted to be felt and experienced, enhancing the user’s interaction with their surroundings.

What sets me apart is this harmonious blend of artisanal glass artistry and strategic architectural insight, allowing me to weave a narrative within a space that speaks to the soul. For clients, collectors, and enthusiasts, each piece from Zaximo Studios is conceived from a profound understanding of the space it will grace and the experiences it is intended to inspire.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Certainly, this is an insightful question that touches on the heart of what it means to be a creator in the world of art, and it’s a topic that I’m passionate about clarifying.

To the outside observer, the journey of an artist might seem enigmatic, even romanticized. However, one of the less understood aspects of this journey is the economy of art, particularly regarding the notion of donation. It’s quite common for artists to be approached with requests to donate their work to various causes and events. While the intention behind these requests is often noble, what is frequently overlooked is the economic implication for the artist.

For non-creatives, it may come as a surprise that, unlike other donations made by businesses or individuals, there are no tax benefits for artists to donate their work. The value of an artist’s work, in the eyes of tax regulations, is often considered negligible. If we were to quantify the value, it would—at best—only cover the cost of materials. What this fails to acknowledge is the true worth of art, which encompasses the artist’s education, the countless hours of experimentation and refinement, and the unique skills honed over a lifetime. When we are asked to donate our art, it is akin to requesting that we give away a piece of our livelihood for no tangible return.

The analogy I often present to those who ask for donations is a comparison with other services and goods involved in an event. Is the venue, the catering, the entertainment, waitstaff, printing, beverages, furniture, and building, non-profit employees, and other components similarly donated at no cost? This is not to trivialize the generosity of donation, but to highlight the disparity in how the donation of art is valued compared to other goods and services.

As an artist and a professional deeply embedded in both the creative and business worlds, I choose to contribute to non-profit organizations in ways that align with both my capabilities and the recognition of my profession’s value. I actively participate on several boards, offering my time, financial support, and expertise in marketing. This form of involvement allows me to give back to the community in a manner that is both meaningful and sustainable.

Understanding this nuance is vital. It ensures that we, as artists, can continue to thrive and produce work that not only enriches our own lives but the cultural tapestry of society at large. This enlightenment can lead to more equitable practices that support artists and, in turn, the arts as a whole, which ultimately benefits everyone, creators and non-creators alike.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Reflecting on the resources that have been integral to my journey as an artist offers a fascinating window into the evolution of learning and discovery in the field of glass and ceramic art.

Back in 1987, while pursuing my dual MFA’s in glass and ceramics at Washington University in St. Louis, we were on the cusp of the digital revolution. The wealth of information and resources now available at the click of a button was then only a distant reality. The quest for knowledge in technical aspects like glaze calculations, equipment use, and engineering was arduous. It required sifting through countless books, engaging in a considerable amount of trial and error, and often seeking out the guidance of fellow artists. Educational programs at the time, before the internet became the repository of collective knowledge, lacked the structured accountability we see in today’s university settings, so much of our learning was self-directed.

This scarcity of readily accessible information was indeed a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the need for self-education fostered a spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness. It taught me to rely on my own creativity and problem-solving skills, which have become cornerstones of my artistic process and professional ethos. This hands-on, exploratory approach to art has imbued my work with a unique character that is the product of personal discovery and perseverance.

On the other hand, one can’t help but wonder how my practice might have evolved had I had access to the expansive digital archives and online communities that exist today. Now, I am an active participant in many of these communities, which has enhanced the speed at which I can acquire new knowledge and technical skills. The ability to look up glaze recipes or troubleshoot technical challenges through a quick internet search is a marvel that has streamlined countless aspects of artistic production.

If I had access to these resources earlier in my career, they would have undoubtedly accelerated my technical growth and opened up new avenues of experimentation at a much faster pace. Yet, there is something to be said for the depth of understanding that comes from the more involved, tactile approach of the pre-internet era.

In sharing this perspective, I hope to offer both a sense of appreciation for the tools and communities available to today’s artists and a recognition of the enduring value of curiosity and self-reliance. For emerging artists, my advice is to harness the best of both worlds: tap into the vast pool of digital resources while nurturing the ability to think critically and creatively outside of the information that’s readily available.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.zaximo.com
• Instagram: @michellehamiltonglass
• Facebook: Michelle Hamilton Zaximo Studios
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellehhamilton/
• Other: I am not very active on social media with my art (something I need to work on) I work directly with art consultants, architects, and designers. It is part of my 2024 marketing plan to get better at utilizing my social media platforms..