EP 62: Bright Ideas: Balancing Art and Career with Jacob Willcox
Taming Lightning
Blog: Instagram Support on Guest Instagram: Hello Lightning Tamers, Percy here, and this is episode number 62. In today's podcast, I'll be joined by Jacob Willcox a young and experienced neon bender, artist, and educator from Tacoma, Washington. Jacob's journey with glass and light began in 2012 through the Hilltop Artists program. He went on to earn his BFA with concentrations in glass and neon from Alfred University in 2021. Currently, Jacob works in sales at a sign shop, where he continues to blend his artistic insights with his professional role. So, get...
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61: Exploring Light and Ephemeral Art with Alexander Groves of Studio Swine
Taming Lightning
Blog: Instagram Support on Guest: Instagram: Hello lightning Tamers this is episode number 61. And in today's podcast, I'll be joined by Alexander Groves one half of the duo known as Studio Swine. Alex and their partner Azuza Murakami had decided to make this arrangement to manage tending to the lovely family they are raising. Just incase anyone is wondering! Who are Studio Swine? The SWINE in Studio Swine, an acronym for "Super Wide Interdisciplinary New Explorers," is a pioneering collective founded in 2011 by Azusa Murakami (JP) and Alexander Groves (UK). Their...
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EP 60 - Neon Primer with Kacie Lees
Taming Lightning
Blog: Instagram Support on Guest: Instagram: and Hello lightning Tamers this is episode number 60. Today, we have the pleasure of diving into the fascinating world of light and art with the incredible Kacie Lees. Born in St. Louis in 1986, Kacie has emerged as a prominent figure in the art scene, leaving her mark in Brooklyn, Chicago, and Los Angeles. With a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York, Kacie's artistic journey is nothing short of inspiring. As a dedicated teaching artist at NYU and SAIC, in...
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EP 59: Neon Insights: Alta Robbins' Valve Innovations with Greg Wilson
Taming Lightning
Blog: Instagram Support on Hello lightning Tamers this is episode number 59. And in today's podcast,, I'll be joined by Greg Wilson, the President of Alta Robbins, a leading provider of precision engineering solutions, known for their high quality valves. With a wealth of knowledge in valve engineering and a deep understanding of the needs of the neon industry, Greg is here to share his insights and expertise with us. Get ready for a deep dive into Alta Robbins valves, where we will learn Alta Robbins connection to Neon while understanding the intricacies one of the most...
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EP 58: Neon Glo with Adam Smo
Taming Lightning
Blog: Instagram Adam smo: ig: Support on Hello Lightning Tamers this is episode number 58. And in today's podcast, I'll be joined by Adam Smo Adam Smolesnky aka Adam Smo is a San Antonio-based glassblower known for working at the torch in borosilicate glass, he creates intricately detailed and colorfully crafted marbles, pendants, drinking glasses, pipes, and sculptures, and as of the recent few years has been diligently sharpening and pushing his skills in neon. Welcome back to the Podcast Adam! For our listeners, I met Adam back in 2019 on the 4th of July...
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EP 57: Kiln-formed Glass and Plasma with Mark Ditzler
Taming Lightning
Blog: Instagram Mark Ditzler: Support on In today's podcast, recorded July 2023, I'll be joined by Mark Ditzler. Who has been hospital in my visit to the seattle area, after the class I taught at Pilchuck this summer with Harriet Schwarzrock. Mark Ditzler is a trained industrial designer, ceramic artist, and self-taught fused glass expert based in Seattle. With over 30 years of experience, he crafts kilnformed glass for commissions and galleries, blending clay techniques seamlessly into his work. Mark has taught fusing classes both locally and nationwide, with a notable...
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EP 56: A Conversation on Conservation with Suzanne Hargrove of the Toledo Museum of Art
Taming Lightning
Episode Sponsored by , use promo code "LIGHTNING" for 10% off your first order. Blog: Instagram Support on In today's podcast, recorded August 13th, 2023, I'll be joined by Suzanne Hargrove former Head of Conservation at the Toledo Museum of Art in a Conversation on Conservation. We met in February 2022 during my GAPP (Glass Artist Pavilion Project) Residency, and she had graciously set up the Paul Seide Radio Light from the Museum's collection. I have a wide interest in glass and gas-illuminated artwork, so I wanted to discuss Paule Seide’s Radio Lights ...
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EP 55: Under Vacuum with Angie McHale ft. Pat Gadzinski
Taming Lightning
Episode Sponsored by Alta-Robbins Blog: Instagram Support on and In today's podcast, recorded June 1st, 2023, I'll be joined by Angela McHale aka Angie aka Rose featuring Patrick Gadzinski. We just finishing up the week teaching at the Pittsburgh Glass Center in a class called Under Vacuum a Flameworking and plasma Intensive. We’ll get some insights into being an instructor or educator in the field of glass and plasma, nerd out about scientific glass, and discuss the challenges and learning opportunities found in workshops for professional practice. Music...
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EP 54: A Glowing Potential with Kate Herron
Taming Lightning
Episode Sponsored by Alta-Robbins Blog: Instagram Support on and This is episode number 54. And in today's podcast, recorded May 18th, 2023, I'll be joined by Kate Herron on the second to last day teaching a workshop at the Toledo Museum of Art’s Glass Pavilion! We’ll talk with Kate and her experience making art through covid, what brought her to glass, Alfred University program and her introduction to Neon, teaching plasma at Toledo, and what’s next after getting her Masters in Fine Arts! Music Credits: Preview - Retro by The...
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EP 53: From Furnace to Flame - Pulling Neon Tubes with Ethan Samaha ft. Zach Layhew
Taming Lightning
Blog: Instagram Support on and Hello Lightning Tamers! This is episode number 53. In today's podcast, recorded April 8th, 2023, I'll be joined by Ethan Samaha AGAIN and this time featuring Zach Layhew, where we talk about Ethan’s most recent residency at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. Here we talk about the application process for residency, Pulling Tubing for Neon: its challenges, Navigation color palettes, and the importance of residency when trying new ideas. Welcome Back to the Podcast Ethan and Zach! Music Credits: Preview - Retro...
info_outlineOn today’s podcast we have Michael Flechtner!
As a child Michael Flechtner was fascinated with electricity, fire and colored light of all kinds. It could be the stained glass windows at church, his father testing the Christmas lights on Christmas Eve and the neon signage in his home town…adorning shop windows and local drive-ins and movie theatres.
With Flechtner’s background in sculpture(BFA, MFA) , as he began to learn how to bend neon tubes, it became clear to him through literally some “wrong turns” that he would be able to create 3 dimensional neon forms in what is primarily considered a 2 dimensional medium. He believes he has a “gift” that enables him to be able to visualize the finished work and then to create patterns, jigs, techniques and other devices in order to create these very “in the round” neon artworks.
Michael would say “I knew that it was very important to develop sound bending skills and techniques so that my work would survive, handling, bombarding, and finally assembly and installation.”
And thus over the years, he’s created a number of forms in various sizes that include sea life, aircrafts, radios, cameras, etc. The smallest 3D plane he’s made has a 6 inch wingspan and the largest 3D shark 7 long long. Flechtner says “It is surprising to me…as well as others how strong these fragile constructions really are”.
Note for context this episode was recorded in early June of 2020, it seems so far away, with all that’s happened in between. Let’s get right to it!
ig: @taminglightning