Naked Dancers, Horses and Chandeliers – Glass Art by David Bennett

Glassblowing is the technique of forming molten glass into a shape by inflating/blowing it with a metal blow tube. Glassblowing is not a new technique of artistic expression. As a matter of fact, some of the first evidence of glassblowing appeared in the remnants of a glass workshop in the Jerusalem and dated somewhere between 37 to 4 BC. Throughout the world, glassblowing artifacts have been found and identified as perfume bottles, vessels, tableware, cameos, window glass and jars to name a few.

Today I was blown away by David Bennett and his work for several reasons.

First, as a person, David Bennett is obviously motivated to enjoy life in many ways. He started his working career as a Captain in the United States Army for four years (1966-1970). The next twenty-five years (1970-1995) was spent as an attorney and for the last twenty years (1991-present), David Bennett has been a glass artisan at his studio, Bennett Glass, Inc.

So often, we shortchange ourselves with negative thinking. David is the perfect example of the wisdom in never giving up the opportunity for a new career or direction using your talents. It is never too late to learn or experience something that you’ve never thought possible. It may take many years to learn a new skill and even more time to perfect it, but in the end, the experience is well worth the effort put forth.

“The Redhead Riter is totally wrong. I am way too old to start something new,” you may be thinking.

Let me do a little math for you. Did you notice the dates of each of David’s career changes? Please note that he started his glassblowing career at the age of 50.

Ahh. Surprised?

Secondly, the artistic pieces of blown glass with metal in fluid forms is mesmerizing and totally impressive. David stated, “As we’ve stretched the technical processes of blowing glass into metal, I’ve had more and more artistic freedom. Our figures can be lighter and wilder in their motions, and we’ve become able to manipulate the glass around its armatures in increasingly playful ways.”

Obviously, at age 50 David was not a professional glassblowing artisan. It took a few years for him to perfect his glassblowing method, but he persevered in learning this new skill. It was definitely worth the learning and practice because it enabled him to eventually create gorgeous artistic forms that express magnificent movement.

I would love a chandelier made of blue glassblown men!