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Darby Patterson
Bronze Artist
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
In most of my work, there is a touch of the
whimsical. I like my sculptures to elicit a
delighted reaction and invite closer examination.
Indeed, that is one of many reasons that I
chose bronze as a medium. It’s history, its
depth of beauty and endurance over time make
it a medium to be savored. For me, there is an
alchemy to the creation of bronze works –
something magical that happens from the visual
concept to the bronze pour. I feel very
fortunate to have encountered this medium of
artistic expression and to repeat a process so
deeply rooted in time and history.
Bronze Artist
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
In most of my work, there is a touch of the
whimsical. I like my sculptures to elicit a
delighted reaction and invite closer examination.
Indeed, that is one of many reasons that I
chose bronze as a medium. It’s history, its
depth of beauty and endurance over time make
it a medium to be savored. For me, there is an
alchemy to the creation of bronze works –
something magical that happens from the visual
concept to the bronze pour. I feel very
fortunate to have encountered this medium of
artistic expression and to repeat a process so
deeply rooted in time and history.
Rene' Steinke
Glass Blower
ARTIST'S BIO
Rene’ Steinke started apprenticing as a glass blower
at the age of 17. Under the demanding guidance of
an accomplished artisan, he learned the discipline
necessary to be comfortable in a medium that has
little room for error.
Rene’ also studied at the prestigious Corning School
of Glass in Corning, N.Y. There he studied under a
number of master glass blowers, such as William
Gudenrath, and expanded his horizons. Later, he
participated in a glass blowing workshop and annual
competition at the Eugene School of Glass in
Oregon – a community known as a center for
education and production of hot and soft glass.
While continuing to seize any opportunity to blow
glass and refine his skills, Rene’ also practiced flame
working. He quickly moved from simple pieces to
more complex works that demand the artist sculpt
and manipulate hot glass to create intricate pieces.
His passion, however, remains working in the glass
blowing studio where he pushes boundaries and
welcomes challenging new techniques that take his
work to the next level.
Glass Blower
ARTIST'S BIO
Rene’ Steinke started apprenticing as a glass blower
at the age of 17. Under the demanding guidance of
an accomplished artisan, he learned the discipline
necessary to be comfortable in a medium that has
little room for error.
Rene’ also studied at the prestigious Corning School
of Glass in Corning, N.Y. There he studied under a
number of master glass blowers, such as William
Gudenrath, and expanded his horizons. Later, he
participated in a glass blowing workshop and annual
competition at the Eugene School of Glass in
Oregon – a community known as a center for
education and production of hot and soft glass.
While continuing to seize any opportunity to blow
glass and refine his skills, Rene’ also practiced flame
working. He quickly moved from simple pieces to
more complex works that demand the artist sculpt
and manipulate hot glass to create intricate pieces.
His passion, however, remains working in the glass
blowing studio where he pushes boundaries and
welcomes challenging new techniques that take his
work to the next level.
Darby spent her early professional years in corporate
communications and government relations. During
this time, she encouraged her children to follow their
creative muses – and that they have. Her daughter
Ianna Nova Frisby became a ceramic artist and art
teacher and son Rene’ Steinke is the glass blower
who shares Bronze and Glass.com. Late in her
corporate career, Darby realized her enthusiasm for
her children’s artistic careers were really callings from
her own unconscious – one that was never satisfied
by corporate culture, nor the highly satisfactory
paycheck. At a pause (read – layoff) in her career
she picked up a few pounds of clay and began to
sculpt. A gallery owner, the late Greg Barton, gave
her tips and encouraged further exploration.
No one was more surprised than Darby when her first
piece, Camel Karma, emerged as a beautiful,
whimsical bronze that
consistently elicits a positive and delighted response.
Since then, she’s been working part-time to support
her full-time passion for bronze. “I was, and am,
amazed at how I can take a lump of clay and make it
into something animated and beautiful,” she says. “I
guess I could say that I wish I would have discovered
it twenty years ago, but I am grateful to have liberated
this innate ability now. Maybe,” she jokes, “I will be the
Grandma Moses of bronze.!”
Darby has chosen many endearing animals to depict
and give, very subtly, an “animus.” As though they
have some human characteristic that reaches out to
us, without becoming cartoon characters. Beyond
this, she has chosen to sculpt some of the planet’s
animals who have become endangered because of
climate change. Although anatomically correct, her
depictions still make that essential human-animal soul
connection.
Finally, realizing that many people can’t afford limited
edition bronze works, she is producing affordable
embellishments for homes. Personalized addresses
and initials that distinguish home owners and offer
them a time-tested art medium that gets even more
beautiful with age. Indeed , Bronze will outlive our
lifetimes and give some simple clue to the future of
who we were and how we saw ourselves. Darby offers
these pieces by individual commission.
CONTACT DARBY
communications and government relations. During
this time, she encouraged her children to follow their
creative muses – and that they have. Her daughter
Ianna Nova Frisby became a ceramic artist and art
teacher and son Rene’ Steinke is the glass blower
who shares Bronze and Glass.com. Late in her
corporate career, Darby realized her enthusiasm for
her children’s artistic careers were really callings from
her own unconscious – one that was never satisfied
by corporate culture, nor the highly satisfactory
paycheck. At a pause (read – layoff) in her career
she picked up a few pounds of clay and began to
sculpt. A gallery owner, the late Greg Barton, gave
her tips and encouraged further exploration.
No one was more surprised than Darby when her first
piece, Camel Karma, emerged as a beautiful,
whimsical bronze that
consistently elicits a positive and delighted response.
Since then, she’s been working part-time to support
her full-time passion for bronze. “I was, and am,
amazed at how I can take a lump of clay and make it
into something animated and beautiful,” she says. “I
guess I could say that I wish I would have discovered
it twenty years ago, but I am grateful to have liberated
this innate ability now. Maybe,” she jokes, “I will be the
Grandma Moses of bronze.!”
Darby has chosen many endearing animals to depict
and give, very subtly, an “animus.” As though they
have some human characteristic that reaches out to
us, without becoming cartoon characters. Beyond
this, she has chosen to sculpt some of the planet’s
animals who have become endangered because of
climate change. Although anatomically correct, her
depictions still make that essential human-animal soul
connection.
Finally, realizing that many people can’t afford limited
edition bronze works, she is producing affordable
embellishments for homes. Personalized addresses
and initials that distinguish home owners and offer
them a time-tested art medium that gets even more
beautiful with age. Indeed , Bronze will outlive our
lifetimes and give some simple clue to the future of
who we were and how we saw ourselves. Darby offers
these pieces by individual commission.
CONTACT DARBY
ARTIST'S BIO
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Along with working in glass, Rene’ enjoys
teaching the craft to others. He has done hot
glass blowing demonstrations at the California
State Fair and elsewhere. Currently, he is a
member of the educational team at Rainbow
Glass in Sacramento where he teaches glass
blowing in weekend seminars. In 2007, he
served as artist-in-residence for a Redding,
CA, studio – teaching novice and intermediate
artists as well as producing stunning new work.
After building his own "hot shop" he is teaching
classes at Horse Cow Studios in Sacramento
and working with architectural glass and steel
design with other artisans.
CONTACT RENE'
teaching the craft to others. He has done hot
glass blowing demonstrations at the California
State Fair and elsewhere. Currently, he is a
member of the educational team at Rainbow
Glass in Sacramento where he teaches glass
blowing in weekend seminars. In 2007, he
served as artist-in-residence for a Redding,
CA, studio – teaching novice and intermediate
artists as well as producing stunning new work.
After building his own "hot shop" he is teaching
classes at Horse Cow Studios in Sacramento
and working with architectural glass and steel
design with other artisans.
CONTACT RENE'
Rene' instructs a student in how to hold the cherry wood
bowl and shape the hot glass.
bowl and shape the hot glass.
© Darby Patterson, 2008
| Working details into the wax often requires magnification and tools heated over a flame |
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