“Frog Speaks” sand-blasted glass window by Clarissa Rizal – 2001
Back in 2001 I had the privilege to apprentice with two glass artists Preston Singletary and David Svenson at the Pilchuck School of Glass. We were working on the glass pieces that were inserted into the totem pole that David had designed to honor the 30-year anniversary of Pilchuck. The main body of the totem pole was carved at the Alaska Indian Arts in Haines, Alaska by Wayne Price, John Hagen, Steven Brown, Lee Heinmiller, David and others. While at the school, Preston encouraged me to use some of the school’s other studio spaces, like the print-making studio, or the sand-blasting area, etc. I learned how to prepare a plate of glass for sandblasting so I could create an embossed, limited-edition print of one of my favorite button blanket images called “Frog Speaks.” I kept the glass plate; since it’s been a part of my window decor in my studio. Maybe someday I’ll make a second edition of this print OR maybe someday I’ll make a series of embossed prints — just never know!