This month’s featured glass artist is Joe Romatowski. Learn more about his unique art style and one-of-a-kind works of art in this exclusive Heady Pages interview.
Joe Romatowski started blowing glass in April 2016 after being inspired by a video of an Italian master glassmaker in the hotshop making an intricate glass horse in under two minutes. At the time, he was an electrician working on naval DDGs, but the video struck such a cord that he set out to learn how to work with glass.
“I started out making beads in my garage. Turned out I was addicted to glass, so I quit my job and went to Salem Community college where I worked on an art and science degree in glassmaking. I was never much of a sketch artist or painter, but sculpting something out of glass was something I could achieve that I loved doing.”
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Since 2016, he’s experimented with most types of glass, including borosilicate, quartz, and soft glass. He’s played with everything from kiln casting, flameworking, hotshop, and fusing and slumping to create insanely intricate pieces of glass that are truly something to behold. However, his most intricate work lies in his glass dinosaur skeletons. “When I knew I had enough skill to try and make a dinosaur, I knew I had to. I spent a lot of time trying to get them to be anatomically correct and I think that shows in my work.”
Joe makes everything from Pokeball terp pearls to wine glasses, art installations, water pipes, and pendants. “I’m truly inspired by nature, life and the stuff around me. Some of my favorites pieces I’ve made are my dinosaur skeletons and skulls and my little glass critters. There is something so satisfying about turning a rod of color into such a beautiful object,” Joe said.
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Joe lives and works in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, but frequents Phippsburg Maine. While the glass scene in these areas are on the quieter side, you can commission him for custom works of art wherever you are or order from him directly on his website. You can also find Joe at East Coast Melt, where he helps run the show. If you’re not following him already, check him out on Instagram — especially if you love cats, intricate glass, and good vibes.
Name: Joe Romatowski // Glass with Joe
IG: @joeromatowski
https://glasswithjoe.bigcartel.com/
