We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Wanda Tyner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Wanda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

There have been many meaningful projects that I have worked on over the years including learning new techniques, experimenting and working larger to create many challenging commissions that were very important and meaningful to the people I was making the art for. My most recent meaningful project was to create a sculpture for someone special’s wedding that could be displayed in their home afterward. Commissions really are joint design projects. I worked closely with the couple to identify what they wanted the sculpture to be, matching glass colors to their wedding colors, determining size and so many details. I made the sculpture in stages, sharing the progress along the way and making adjustments to the design to make sure it would meet their vision. Both their first names start with K as does their last name so they decided they wanted a large K with their wedding colors surrounded by eucalyptus leaves (part of their wedding decor). They loved the idea of some transparency in the design. I needed a lot of large sheets of grey and clear transparent glass. Making the project more meaningful was partnering with my husband on the best way to assemble the sculpture and then get it delivered to NY. Amazingly, it made it to the NY wedding on time and in one piece and was displayed at their wedding and now it’s on display in their living room.Making a challenging glass art sculpture that was part of such an important day of someone very special to me made this a very meaningful project for me. You can see all the detailed steps of this project on my instagram feed (October-November 2022).

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 manipulate and form glass into shapes with heat, flow, dimension, patterns and texture bringing vibrant colors to life. My nature-inspired glass artwork depicts a story that flows from realistic representations to abstract interpretations with creative 3D elements that add depth, action and cool reflections.
I apply the same creativity and innovative solutions to my glass creations as I did during my career as a technology executive. My journey as a glass artist started with a desire to understand how the glass art in my home collection was made. After an extensive introduction, I was surprised that I could be creative and make art and I was hooked! I was fascinated with the science of glass and the technology and skill required to achieve endless creative possibilities. I continued my training with many well-known glass artists from around the world. I continue to spend extensive time studying, experimenting, challenging myself and creating in my garage studio.

I enjoy the focus and precision it takes to design and explore colors, patterns, textures, shapes and techniques to create kilnfired, kilncasted and kilnformed glass art that can be bright, bold, subtle, or textured. I enjoy the challenge and energy of manipulating glass inside a very hot kiln.

In addition to fine art glass 3D sculptures and wall hangings, I create vases, bowls, tableware, music related art, garden art, clocks and jewelry.

Life is full of adventures and the more that are in nature the better! I have many interests and passions including kayaking, hiking, biking, traveling, boating, spending time with friends and family, reading and creating delightful glass art.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

After I retired very young from my career in technology, I gave myself time to explore what was next. I made a list of things I wanted to learn and explore. At the top of my list was learning how the glass art in our home was made. I expected to take a class or 2 and move on to the rest of my list. First surprising myself with my creativity and love of making glass art, next was getting unsolicited commissions. Leading me to pivot to a new career as an artist. That was just the beginning as being an artist is being a business owner — I had to learn what it meant to be in the art business world – marketing, selling, sharing, accounting, applying for exhibits and shows and much more.

I was accepted into exhibits, galleries and some art fairs and was pursuing these avenues to share my art. I had a basic website and social media presence. In 2020, I had to pivot, like many others. I remade my website to include shopping along with a stronger social media presence. I still show my artwork in galleries, exhibits, local stores and online. I am not sure how often I will apply for art fairs — they are hard work, expensive for an artist and subject to weather… I’m sure there will be more pivoting in the future. I’d love to hear how your readers prefer to see and shop for art.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is all the fabulous people that I have met. I have enjoyed meeting other artists and art patrons over the years. I was lucky to find several very inviting art organizations, each providing unique value and opportunity to help me on my art journey and where I can provide value to others.

Best of Missouri Hands is a wonderful organization of artists supporting artists throughout Missouri and surrounding states. They focus on providing artists with the knowledge and guidance for their art business through bi-annual Art Smart Conferences and monthly zoom workshops focused on various aspects of the business or art. The artists in this group are always sharing and helping each other.

Summit Art Organization is a fantastic organization of artists focused on education and providing opportunities for artists to display their artwork in a number of venues. This is a very active group with monthly meetings as well as many learning opportunities in addition to exhibits +. This organization provides artists many opportunities to grow as an artist across disciplines through friendly critiques, presentations and workshops. I also met other glass artists who are now part of my tribe.

Kansas City Artists Coalition is a nonprofit organization that supports the professional growth of artists and promotes arts awareness in the Kansas City region. including an artist-centered, artist-run alternative space that presents a variety of exhibitions of contemporary artists’ work in its Main Gallery and the Snap Space Gallery. They were very supportive and inclusive with my first opportunities to display my artwork at their annual member show several years ago. I was honored in 2020 to have a solo exhibit in the main gallery.

Images Art Gallery is an artist co-op gallery. I am honored to be a member of this  non-profit gallery in Downtown Overland Park, KS. There are and have been many talented artists as members whose artwork is/was on display. In addition, they host an annual juried art show (July) that many KC metro artists apply for every year.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wandatynerglass.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wandatynerglassart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wandatynerglassart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wandatyner/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wandatynerglassart
• Other: https://bestofmissourihands.org/wktyner/ https://summitart.org/portfolio/wanda-k-tyner/ https://www.imagesgallery.org/wanda-tyner