Makers Among Us....Sammamish Artist Chuck Sary

Meet Chuck Sary. 

It is perhaps no coincidence that glass artists are drawn to the area around the Cascade Mountains, considering that the volcanic geography has ties to modern glass processes.  Chuck Sary is keeping the fires stoked on a smaller and more controlled scale, but is happy to admit to the influences of Mother Nature on his fused glass art works.  It`s a passion he loves to share.  “Many of my pieces portray landscapes which I hope will evoke an emotional connection through color, shape, theme, and the unique characteristics of glass. Other work is purely the exploration of the abstract and achieving a pleasing visual balance", he describes.

Chuck`s works specialize in the use of fused dichroic art glass. Most of his pieces are made as individual "paintings" and individual pieces of art. It is a labor intensive process which requires multiple firings and “cold work” using grinders. Each piece is truly unique. Most pieces have several layers of glass, with color and sparkle that change depending on the angle of the light. Says Chuck, “Many have their own little worlds going on ....so just a warning ...you can easily get lost in their fascinating effects.  I did! "

All his jewelry and larger glass works are fused, fired up to 1700 degrees farenheit, shaped with grinding, and annealed through several stages in the kiln in order to obtain the desired shapes, colors, and designs. Items are also worked to minimize roughness and bubbles. Chuck  truly  cares about the quality of the final pieces.

Chuck is a member of the International Guild of Glass Artists and the PMC Guild. He also draws on expertise from a diverse background in environmental science, biochemistry, and art.  Ultimately, it`s about enjoying what he does:  “I just love creating fused glass! It’s a fascinating, evolving path for me...expressing creativity through a “labor of love”. It has opened many new opportunities to connect with a diverse group of people who enjoy my work. I hope it brings some beauty into the world and joy to those collecting this work”, he explains.

Chuck will be among the artists of the 6^th Annual Sammamish Arts Fair on October 13^th and 14^th.  You can also find his work showcased on his website at www.sharidor.co.  Art fair details can be found at  http://sammamishartsfair.wordpress.com/ .