Artist’s Statement – Will Ortman

“I graduated from the Columbus College of Art and Design in 2007. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine art with a focus in Glass Blowing. My objective as an artist is to create aesthetic forms using incredibly rich colors, textures and iridescent lusters. There are many reasons why I work with glass, but what really hooked me was the opportunity glass provides to play with color. Glass allows for variations of intensity of hue, tone and depth and I have always been captivated by the way colors come to light on a glass surface. Glass can do everything that other sculptural media can. In addition, the ways in which color can be layered on glass provides a unique three- dimensional quality of depth. Some of what I make requires the skill of another set of hands. I’ve been grateful to have had the opportunity to study with other glass artists and have benefited from exploring some of the infinite variations that working with glass offers. Though I make many pieces, each one is a unique creation requiring intense concentration and often great skill to produce. I think of these pieces as part of an overall progression, each having their own potential, but also being a step towards creating improved versions of them. Glass making is what I love to do and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. It is a pleasure for me to share what I do.”

By the Bay Gallery is proud to include the magnificent work of Will Ortman in our ever expanding collection of exceptional quality American Handcraft