The 4th Clay and Glass Biennial is currently on display to the public at the Brea Gallery and we are thrilled to be able to share this beautiful show. Co-sponsored with the Association of Clay and Glass Artists of California, this exhibition has both invited artists and juried pieces (Juried by Suzanne Isken of the Craft and Folk Museum in Los Angeles). Visitors are able to vote for a Popular Choice piece and one final award will be given at the end of the exhibition.

There are five artists that were extended an invitation to show a body of their work in this exhibition. The Brea Gallery wanted to take a moment and offer you a chance to get to know them a bit more and their process as artists, in their own words!

Bob Pool

Detail of "Angry Birds" currently on view in 4th Clay and Glass Biennial

I was born in San Francisco, California and raised in Marin County where I played in the woods and on the beach as much as I could. I originally trained in Marine Biology and got my Ph.D.. from UCLA. While working in Biology I took a clay class. My life changed when I found that this was my work and my calling. I became a studio potter in 1982 and have been making pots ever since.

I am known for my hand-thrown work. My stoneware pots are light and functional. I make my own glazes which are lead-free and full of deep color. I strive for beauty, inspired by Asian and African fabrics as well as my Marine Biology and Marin County roots.

My studio is in Berkeley California in the Sawtooth Building where I have worked in different studios for over twenty years. I had the privilege of having visiting Korean potters in my studio this last Spring which brought a lot of good times and an exchange of ideas which I have delighted in. I think you will notice how my Korean friends have influenced my new work.

I have been an artist-in-residence in Wood Fire Festivals in Japan (Aomori),
Republic of Korea (Osan) and China (Zibo.)

Check out more of Bob's work here.

Julia Feld

Detail of "Face of Fear" currently on view in 4th Clay and Glass Biennial.

In my work I combine an abstract curvilinear sculptural form with surreal narrative painting in order to create an illusion of dynamically changing reality.

The illusion of a three-dimensional world formed by realistically rendered painting intermingles with the three-dimensionality of the object.

I build with clay and paint with underglazes. I create an impression of interchangeability between flat image and three-dimensional form.

Check out more about Julia here.

Susan Bloch

Detail of "Everlasting" currently on view in 4th Clay and Glass Biennial.

Susan Bloch is a commission and exhibiting artist. She developed her mastery of carving glass by working with architects and clients. Commissions ranged from large residential windows, office doors, theaters, and stone walls. Her father’s critical illness changed her direction. Gazing at his kind face brought heightened awareness to the human condition.

The resulting carved faces express human bonds in the natural world. She states,
“I work with glass because it reflects our humanity. Viewers see themselves in the surface.
They sense the vulnerability of glass. A translucent face simulates the inner/outer world.

She participated in a 3 person invitational glass show at Houghton Gallery, Corning, NY with a 4’2 layer plasma-cut aluminum and glass mandala; and a 2 person show at Biscuit Factory Gallery, New Castle upon Tyne, England. She designs and participates in glass fashion shows during Glass Art Society conferences. She studied painting at Boston University, School of Fine Arts and hot glass and sculpture at Alfred University receiving a BFA.
She lives in Eureka, Ca.

See and learn more about Susan's work here.

Treg Silkwood and Candace Martin

Detail of "Oceanica Nouveau" in 4th Clay and Glass Biennial

Candace Martin was born in Saratoga, California. She was raised between there and a family cattle ranch in Oregon. Her interest in art began in early childhood. She has painted and sculpted for as long as she can remember. Candace's career as an artist began at age thirteen, when she sold her first piece. Since then, she has had numerous commissions and her work has been exhibited in Los Angeles and throughout the Bay Area.

Artistically, Candace has explored a wide variety of mediums and materials. Painting has been her primary outlet, though she has explored both sculptural work and installation art. Her love of color naturally drew her to glass. Her fascination with glass found an outlet three years ago when she began assisting a local glass artist in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Working production introduced her to the idea of making art as a team. She also found that she had an apt patience for cold working.

In 2002, Candace met Treg Silkwood. The two immediately fell in love and soon after combined their talents to form Silkwood Glass, a custom, hand-crafted glass company. Treg and Candace bring complimentary talents to their partnership, Candace's painterly sense of color and good eye for design are coupled by Treg's glassblowing expertise and mastery of form. As each piece is formed from the molten glass, the couple shares a dynamic relationship. Throughout the creative process, their interaction seems choreographed in a whirl of constant motion and ongoing discussions about color application, proportions and design features.

Treg Silkwood was born and raised in the big sky country of Montana. Growing up he knew that he wanted to work with his hands. He studied pre-medicine at the University of Montana before deciding to pursue a career in the arts. In 1996 he received his BFA from Alfred University graduating the Top Student of the Art and Design school.

Treg spent the next five years working as a production glass blower recreating early American glass at the Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village. At the Village, he deepened his appreciation for the history and the craft of working with glass. It was there that he discovered the value of using glass as a vehicle of expression. Treg has worked as a gaffer for the Hot Glass Road Show of the Corning Museum of Glass, a state of the art mobile glass blowing studio. He has demonstrated and taught glassblowing at numerous institutions and schools across the United States and abroad.

In 2002, Treg met Candace Martin. The two immediately fell in love and soon after combined their talents to form Silkwood Glass, a custom, hand-crafted glass company. Treg and Candace bring complementary talents to their partnership, Treg's glassblowing skill and mastery of form are coupled by Candace's painterly sense of color and innovative designs. As each piece is formed from the molten glass, the couple shares a dynamic relationship. Throughout the creative process, their interaction seems choreographed in a whirl of constant motion and deliberation.

Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend

Detail of "Vaughze, Luxury Glass Series" currently on display in 4th Clay and Glass Biennial.

Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend, a past board member and Honorary Life Member of the Glass Art Society (1982-86), served as the first woman president from 1984-86. She has worked on the Ojai Arts Commission from 2001-2014. Her innovative work in glass, mixed media, and public art is included in private collections and public institutions including the LA County Museum of Art, Detroit Institute of the Arts, Oakland Museum of California, the Museum of Arts and Design, NY, and the City of Los Angeles.

Maria De Castro

Detail of "Fragile Generation" currently on display in 4th Clay and Glass Biennial

The fascination I have with the mystery of relics and ancient artifacts is inherent in many of the pieces I create. The treasures found in archaeological digs have incredible stories to tell. I try to capture the feeling one gets when seeing an artifact; the reverence and spirituality invoked by such pieces. I am intrigued with the crossover of cultures, religions, ethnicities, beliefs and melding them into a harmonious piece, reflecting my desire for a harmonious world.

The “Feminine Sacred” is also an integral theme recurrent in my work. I am captivated by humanity’s reverence for the divine female.

The ruins and museums I visited in places such as Heraklion, the Parthenon, Turkey, Mexico, Asia, Egypt, Africa, and many morehave evoked some of my strongest influences.

See more of Maria's art here.

These artists with their individual vision and backgrounds are the perfect compliment to this juried exhibition. All of these materials, textures, colors, styles, and subjects side-by-side allow us to appreciate how unique they are.

Stop by the Brea Gallery til September 15th to see it all for yourself!