Working with glass is an honor. I'm lucky to have found this medium. I first saw a demonstration of glassblowing years ago during an outdoor demonstration at Kent State University. I knew right then that's what I wanted to do.

Over the years, I've studied the Venetian style of glassblowing with various glass artists, well known and not so well known, at various schools and studios around the country. Each new technique learned opens up another set of possibilities to explore. I don't know if I'll ever get the time and opportunity to attempt all of the ideas and sketches I have, but it will be fun trying.

For my functional work, I combine contemporary colors with classical shapes. Sometimes I use rods of color (cane), small bits of colored glass (frit) and overlays of color to achieve various surface designs.

In my murrini work, whenever possible, I employ texture with color. The uneven surface I produce is intentional, yet part of the surprise of working with murrini is that I'm never certain exactly how the surface will turn out. The tactile experience for me is as important as the visual experience. My patterns are influenced by textile designs, the markings on animals, and geometric patterns.

--David Jacobson