KNW Glass is a Bridgeport, Connecticut-based glass artist known for his high-contrast psychedelic patterning that adds some extra eye candy to the sesh. Blowing glass for more than seven years, he has gained recognition among boro enthusiasts throughout the Northeast and beyond for his collaborations and distinct visual style.
Every artist has a starting point. What first drew you to glassblowing, and how did you know this was your medium?
I remember seeing live glassblowing at a music festival called the Gathering of the Vibes in 2012 and was just absolutely mesmerized. I said I’d love to be smoking out of a bong I made, rocking in my chair on my porch as an old man one day, and that idea always stayed with me. From a young age, I always loved being creative, whether drawing, painting, sculpting and even filmmaking. By the time I got to college, I met one of my best friends to this day who introduced me to the world of headies. It opened my eyes to pipe making and how it was more than just about smoking — it was a whole other art form I never thought about. I tried it for the first time in Burlington, Vermont, and was instantly hooked. I knew I needed a torch and had to try it on my own.
Are there any particular artists who inspired you?
I was always very inspired by Eusheen for his intricate pipe designs and Stormin Norman for his use of color and abstractness.
Glass often reflects its environment. Does New England’s seasonal shifts or local culture influence your color choices or overall style?
Depending on the season, living in New England definitely inspires the color choices I use in my work. Not always, but I’ve noticed that I tend to use more browns and oranges in the fall and seem to use more yellows and greens in the spring and summer.
Technique can be everything. Do you have a go-to method that you gravitate toward, and why does it speak to you?
Wrap and rake would be my go-to method. It’s a great way to make a small amount of color go a long way. I use a lot of black and white and rainbow cane in my work. I love how the two colorways contrast with each other and give my work a nice sense of duality.
Have you teamed up with any local makers or taken part in regional festivals that shaped your craft?
I work in an amazing studio called Stoked in Connecticut, which is home to a lot of great local talent. I’m blessed to be in a space where I’ve done a lot of collaboration work with local artists and artists from all over the country, whether it’s working in person or sending sections in the mail. I definitely feel that collaborating has drawn me closer to glass. The fact that two artists could come together and blend their styles was always a fun thought, and I wanted to do that. I love working with people and turning a joint vision into a reality.
People love a good story behind a piece. Is there a particular design or series that holds a memorable backstory or unexpected inspiration?
When I first got into glass I was searching for a signature pattern — that when you saw it, you’d know I made it, for example, Darby Holm’s. My signature pattern is a black-and-white rainbow cane wrap and rake. I was asked if I had a name for my colorful use and technique and how I was inspired to come up with it. I never really thought about it, but I immediately thought about how my favorite band’s lighting designer, Chris Kuroda for Phish, does a rainbow fade of lights to white and then blacks out the stage to close out a song. Thus, it was coined ‘Kuroda Tech.’
How do you stay motivated or creative when you feel stuck, and do you have any rituals or routines that help you push past a block?
Creative blocks are totally normal; we can’t always be creative. There are some days I don’t feel like getting on the torch. When that happens, I like to remind myself to have fun with glass. What helps me is to step away for a day, go out in nature, hang with friends, or try something new on the torch, like sculpting or a new technique since I tend to focus so much on pipe making.
Looking forward, what’s on the horizon for your work — any upcoming drops, new techniques you’re experimenting with, or goals for the next year?
I have a solo showcase on May 24 at One World Glass Gallery in West Springfield, Massachusetts. I’m excited to display my new recycler design that I’ve been dialing in for the past year. My goal is to travel more and go to other people’s studios and collaborate. I would love to connect with more artists around the country and build relationships, as well as create some amazing pipes together.
We’re a Cannabis magazine. What are you currently smoking on?
I’ve been enjoying a lot of Bubble Mama lately, as well as High Tide Hash out of CT. I’m honestly a big fan of their work — really solid stuff for the price point, and the terps are on point!
