Sheri Zoch

Artist Biography:

As a Ph.D. research scientist, I formed hypotheses, tested them, and then was often surprised at the twist of the outcomes. But, in all of this analysis, I felt a large part of my life was missing action. At 40, I started taking every art course I could find, starting with “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain”. For 2 years I had solid art training in watercolor, oil, mixed media, jewelry making, etc. When I took fused glass, I found my true love. I started selling my jewelry creations at shows, then learned more painterly techniques from classes. Now I use my artistic knowledge of values, color theory, shading, composition, etc. to build a picture, but I also know how to use the alchemy inherent in glass to produce the effect I want. Now I sell in galleries in Texas and South Carolina, at juried art shows throughout Texas and online at glassmenagerietexas.com.

Artist Statement:

Good art expands the imagination as it catches your eye. Fused glass is a new genre that lets me explore its many advantages over traditional media. These include: LIGHT: I can make sand glisten at dawn or the sun catch fire at dusk; COLOR: I can blend and melt colors in the kiln and create alchemy at will; HANDBUILDING: Almost like clay or welding, I often make and fire individual pieces, cut them up, reassemble and refire. Many pieces are fired 20+ times. This freedom to explore the many advantages of fused glass is what sparks my artistic fire. Every day, I can’t wait to go into my studio to see what the kiln gods left me. Like my former life as a scientist doing experiments, it’s always a surprise.