Frozen in Time – Portraits of Water in Custom Glassworks

“You cannot step twice into the same stream,” observed the Greek philosopher Heraclitus.

Whether in the form of a running river or a spring shower, water is a dynamic element.  With great skill, however, artisans can create representations of water in the medium of glass that seem to hold it fast while preserving its protean nature.  Take a look at these custom glassworks by CustomMade artisans that capture some of the many forms and moods of water.

The imagery of ripples created by a single drop of water is often used in metaphors for the far-reaching consequences that a seemingly insignificant action may engender.  By the time the ripples reach you, the drop has disappeared into a bigger body of water.  In this hand-blown and sculpted glass “Water Drop” platter, artisan Jeff Ballard of Jeff Ballard Glass has created “a truly mesmerizing representation of a water drop and its ripples frozen in time,” at the very moment the drop disappears with a tiny kiss-like splash.  This beautiful custom made glassware can feature different finishes, patterns, and colors.

"Water Drop" by Jeff Ballard Glass at CustomMade.com

For artisan Susan Temple of Bridger Glass Studio, glass’s qualities as “a three dimensional fluid with a beautiful capacity for representing flow” make it an excellent choice for depicting “deep ocean waters, unmelted subsurface ice, and ocean swells.”  She depicts water in all these guises in her steel-framed fused glass wall diptych “Arctic II,” “Leads and Waterways,” which took home “Best in Show” at the Sequim 2010 Glass Art Festival.

Wall Diptych “Arctic II” by Bridger Glass Studio at CustomMade.com

Remember Heraclitus whenever you look into this “River Jewels” mirror by Home Woods.  This mirror appears to flow around its tiger maple and clay stone frame.  Adding a custom glass mirror with an open frame to any room is a wonderful and relatively easy way to bring a sense of expansion and flow to that space.

"River Jewels" Mirror by Home Woods at CustomMade.com

What is a wave but an uncountable myriad drops of water in motion?  The big waves of North Oahu Island (and a turtle) inspired Judi Hartman of Hartman Glass Art to create “Surf’s Up.” Seemingly composted of tiny droplets, this custom glass art piece conveys the sensation of water spray on your face.

"Surf's Up" by Hartman Glass Art at CustomMade.com

What do you see when you imagine waterscape art for your home? Whether a single raindrop or a cresting wave, a flowing river or a river of ice, a CustomMade artisan in your area can construct custom glassworks in art, mirrors, or glassware that will make your vision real.