Philip Jacobs Blowing Glass

The Risk Appeal

An artist’s decision to make his living from his art is always risky, but for glassblower Philip Jacobs, risk is part of the appeal.  After all, working with molten materials and flame at temperatures well above 2000˚ is physically dangerous.  But playing with fire has taught Jacobs to transform risk into faith, just as fire transforms the most basic of elements–sand, limestone, soda ash and potash–into the fiery splendor of his glass.
    In his art, Jacobs strives to reflect both the beauty and complexity of the natural world, saying, “My work demonstrates the history and tradition of the vessel while suggesting the surface as a canvas for expression….  I take inspiration from the mountains, oceans and sky and manifest my appreciation into glass with harmonious earth tones.”

Philip Jacobs at Work