Dylan and I really admire glass works.  I remember stopping at every glass shop we passed during our honeymoon and debating whether or not to buy the whole store or leave some for other customers to purchase.  Well, being newlyweds, we usually left the store empty-handed, but the appreciation was always there.  While in Seattle, we had a chance to visit Chihuly’s Glass and Garden and were beyond amazed.  I’m sure Chihuly had to be a very patient man, working with such a fragile element as glass.  Beyond transforming its shape, what about the transportation of the art to the museum once created?  or trying to piece all the intricacies together?  or getting them to stand just so or not worrying about the balls rolling off the stage?

There are so many pieces to this display.  What would happen if one broke in transportation?  Or the bottom of it wasn’t perfectly balanced and it refused to stand up?  Or it didn’t fit as originally planned – especially in the orange piece?

The above photo is actually looking straight up.  These glass pieces cover the ceiling and create beautiful colors.

I really loved the reflections of the pieces, too.  It’s always cool to check out an alternate perspective.

This one was hanging from the ceiling!

These are Chihuly’s paintings of his own vision for each piece of work.

At this point, Dylan turned to me and made some comment about being able to afford the crown jewels – have you seen the “feeling richer effect” commercials?  Dylan and I always want to take glass art home.

If I had to guess, I would say not everything went perfectly for Chihuly – especially in the beginning.  I’d guess that some pieces broke, some pieces frustrated him, but he continued regardless.  He loved his art so much that when it destroyed his eyesight in one eye, he continued creating masterpieces!  He cofounded a Glass School in Washington state to teach others the love and art of glass.  Chihuly’s determination inspires me and I hope to take away this: that no matter how many pieces break, no matter how many pieces need to be recreated b/c they don’t fit or balance, don’t give up.  Change what no longer works and invent your own process.  The masterpiece may be ever-changing, but it is always being perfected.

– Mylah Renae

www.Eureka-Photography.com