Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Trish Duggan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Trish, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

When I was very young, if I was bored with nothing to do, my mom always had plain white paper and pencils on the table and said, “go draw.” This encouraged me to be creative, but also to duplicate. My parents also encouraged me to get an education as my dad joined the military at age seventeen and my mom got pregnant when she was sixteen. They both encouraged me to be part of the “American Dream.” The other amazing aspect of growing up was that we always went camping and spent time outdoors with wide open spaces. At night, there was always a canopy of a billion sparkling stars overhead!

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 loved art due to the drawing I did when I was young which allowed me to experience an unusual quiet, peacefulness. When I was sixteen years old, I was fortunate enough to have a most amazing art teacher–Mr. Nakamura–who introduced me to Japanese woodblock prints and gorgeous Japanese handmade paper. He was incredibly encouraging and supportive. He was the one teacher who changed my life forever! I told my mom about him and she wrote an essay about him. He received “Teacher of the Year” award! He is now in his nineties and we still visit each other and write letters!

My glass casting is totally unique as I create a woodblock, make a series of prints and then press the woodblock into sand. Pouring 2,100 degree hot glass into the space imprinted is always an exciting adventure because I’m never certain of how my glass sculpture will turn out! I usually do a series of glass sculptures such as my Buddha Wall in Imagine Museum. I am trying to relay the message that there is no scarcity. One must create abundance if one wants to survive well! I often include an inspirational quote to accompany my art installations. For example, with my Buddha Wall I convey this message, “Though you can conquer 1,000 men in battle 1,000 times, the one who conquers himself, his prejudice, his hatred and reactivity, is the noblest victor of all.”

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The goal with my art is to inspire and uplift others, but also to educate. I imagine contemporary glass art will become the next great movement in the art world!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is sharing the concept of the highest level of beauty. There is enough ugliness and divisiveness in the world today so I love inspiring others with sheer gorgeousness and aliveness of contemporary glass sculpture. When I am in the midst of creating, time seems to actually disappear and the depth of personal happiness experienced is almost unexplainable. I strongly believe that the ability and actuality of creating leads to a better life for all on this water planet we call Earth.

Contact Info:

• Website: trishdugganart.com
• Instagram: @realtrishduggan

Image Credits
Adam Bodnar