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...
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Nikki Lau www.nikkilauart.com
ig: @lau.nikki
Hello Lightning Tamers!
In today's podcast, I'll be joined by Ceramic Artist Nikki Lau to talk about her recent residency at the Pittsburgh Glass Center with Crash Course in Neon as a participant in the upcoming exhibition Full Spectrum: Visionaries Elevating Art Craft, and Design and will be opening February 4th, 2022. The exhibition showcases visionary makers of color from around the country who are producing extraordinary craft objects, while illustrating the vast number of pathways to a successful and meaningful career.
- Preview - Retro by ONE
- The opening theme - Taming Lightning by Trav B. Ryan
- Patreon - Next Time by Hayku
- PGC promo - Mixtape by Prod. Riddiman
- Credits - Walking by Ras-Hop
I hope you enjoyed the podcast. This was one of my first experiences facilitating part of the residency. Though when I look back at it, it really isn’t so very different than being an artist assistant or TA. But what was really new was facilitating neon which, from my recent conversations since this recording has led to me believing their much work ahead of me for a full in-studio experience. I would say Frustrating and Fun are the best way to describe working with glass, especially such skillful processes like neon bending. While I fell in love with plasma first, I’m starting to find a very strong interest in neon thanks to Nikki Lau nudge for Neon in her proposal and the well-appreciated guidance and teaching of Tim Tackacs. Speaking of Tim, you can learn about him is his journey in neon on the podcast in episode 28: American Classic Neons with Tim Takacs. ( links in the show notes above)
Thank you Nikki Lau for the conversation and respect to your jumping hands first into the fires! I hope this experience has helped nudge you into the possibilities of using neon in your future works, even if your hand isn’t the one bending.
I'd like to thank Pittsburgh Glass Center for supporting me as a place of research and inspiration. Plasma Art Alliance where I have access to the well of knowledge and connects me to some amazing and supportive people.
Feel free to share, comment, and subscribe.
As always Be Safe, Be Healthy, and Be Strong, and I’ll See you next time!