THE UNIVERSE IN AN ORB OF GLASS -- NOW

To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower Hold infinity in the palms of your hand and eternity in an hour.

– William Blake

While Blake had it right, today, we are delighted to share the universe in an orb of glass. Check out the incredible fine art glass Universe Marbles and Botanical Paperweights we found below.

UNIVERSE MARBLES -- GATESON RECKO

While some glass artists try to create little swirls or capture tiny bits to evoke imagery within the marbles they design, Gateson Recko captures pieces of the universe.

Recko became inspired by the crystal clear night skies of Taos, New Mexico during a vacation there. He began to incorporate universe themes into his glass spheres.  

He produces what he calls "universe marbles,” with beautiful compositions of hyper realistic floating planets, stars and celestial phenomena suspended in time.

Recko’s colors are extraordinary, often infusing gold and silver into the mix. He uses artist techniques as fuming, flameworking, implosion, millefiori, and caneworking to create his shapes, colors, and textures.

Recko is also an accomplished graffiti artist and photographer. He has a BA in Architecture from Columbia University. He was a co-founder, as well as the Artistic Director, of Hot Soup, Philadelphia’s first public glassblowing facility. 

You can see a video of Recko’s work here. You can purchase his Universe Marbles here and other outlets shown in photo credits below.

Check out how beautiful art glass marbles are made in this video. Zac's Lost His Marbles and Not Just Marbles are great sources to buy beautiful nature inspired fine art and craft glass paperweights and marbles. 

PAUL JOSEPH STANKARD

These art glass paperweights are a sublime celebration of nature and its beautiful forms. Created by legendary contemporary glass artist Paul Joseph Stankard.

Stankard is a pioneer in the studio glass movement and an innovator in glass making technique.

Originally finding a passion for industrial, scientific glass instruments and vessels, Stankard has a degree from Salem Community College in Scientific Glassblowing. He began to experiment with more artistic expressions.

Stankard took an interest in making paperweights, when he found that the majority of those available were mostly “crafty” and lacking in finesse.

Stankard channeled his love for nature and science, by creating flowers that were botanically accurate -- they were so real looking, in fact, that many people mistakenly thought that they were actual living things encased in glass.  

Flowers, bees, vines, and leaves, look magical as they “float” inside the glass forms. Stankard elevated the paper weight to a form of fine art.

Paul J. Stankard Artist’s Statement:

Reese Palley, an internationally respected art dealer, became enamored with Stankard’s work and sponsored him financially so that he could totally devote his time and effort to creating glass art.

Stankard's work is exhibited in over 60 museums, including The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC; The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, New York; The Musée des Arts Décoratifs and The Musée du Louvre in Paris, France; The Victoria & Albert Museum in London, England; and The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York.

You can see much more of his work on his website, at the Corning Museum of Glass, and in his book, Homage to Nature. And get one for yourself at 1st Dibs.

Read more about Beautiful Glass, as they relate to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink,Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact including 10 Beautiful Glass Books Now.

Enter your own images and ideas about Beautiful Glass in this week’s creative Photo Competition. Open for entries now until 11:59 p.m. PT on 10.11.14. If you are reading this after that date, check out the current BN Creative Competition, and enter!

PHOTO CREDITS:

1. Photo: Courtesy of  Gateson Recko. “1.9" Wormhole Nebula in Light Satin Blue Draconis and Green Dwarf.”
2. Photo: Courtesy of  Gateson Recko. Universe Marble.
3. Photo: Courtesy of Gateson Recko. Nebula Universe Marble: Caged Opal Moon.
4. Photo: Courtesy of Gateson Recko. Micro Aurora Universe Marble.
5. Photo: Courtesy of Gateson Recko. Nebula Universe Marble with floating moon.
6. Photo: Courtesy of Gateson Recko. Yellow Planet Marble.
7. Photo: Courtesy of Paul J. Stankard. Honeybee Swarming a Floral Hive Cluster.
8. Photo: Courtesy of Paul J. Stankard. Golden Orbs Floral Cluster.
9. Photo: Courtesy of Paul J. Stankard. Crown Imperial Lilies Orb with Figures.
10. Photo: Courtesy of Paul J. Stankard. Fecundity Bouquet.
11. Photo: Courtesy of Paul J. Stankard. Flowers with Prickly Fruit.
12. Photo: Courtesy of Paul J. Stankard. Berry Bouquet Paperweight.
13. Photo: Courtesy of Paul J. Stankard. Assemblage.
14. Photo: Courtesy of Paul J. Stankard. Pine Land Diptych with Golden Orb.
15. Photo: Courtesy of Paul J. Stankard. Golden Orb Floral Triptych.
16. Photo: Courtesy of Paul J. Stankard. From Flower, Fruit & Nut Series.