We take glass for granted. Its presence is so familiar we often don't even realize it's there. Yet glass, in the hands of an artist, transforms into something unexpected and magnificent; it holds power to inspire awe and spark our imagination. In the skilled hands of artist Pat Isaacson, glass evolves into objects that cast color throughout our home, office, or garden space. Pat grew up in American Fork, Utah, a small town on the edge of Utah Lake at the base of the Wasatch Mountains. The light and space of the area contributed to a love of nature and helped develop Pat's creative eye for color and design.
When it came time for college, Pat majored in Mathematics which would eventually lead her into a career in Information Technology. She explains it as "I spent a big part of my life helping people with their computers. Starting as a Systems Engineer for IBM, then in a similar position with Honeywell Information Systems." The experience launched Pat into founding her own business in Chicago as a Computer Consultant. Eventually, her business brought Pat into contact with art galleries in the Chicago area. She collaborated with one of the galleries to develop a gallery management system for the computer. Pat explained, "During this time, I would attend the Friday night art walks and meet artists, sometimes I was invited to join them for dinner. It was a thrill for me to have the association with artists and gallery owners; I learned what inspired them and secretly wanted to be one of them." She went on to say, "I always loved art and started collecting, even when I was young, newly married, and poor. I always felt I was an artist who hadn't found her medium."
"I spent a big part of my life helping people with their computers. Starting as a Systems Engineer for IBM, then in a similar position with Honeywell Information Systems."
Many years later, Pat retired and relocated to Arizona. She states, "Now I had time, the search continued for that perfect medium for me. I took a few painting classes, oils, and watercolor, but it wasn't until I took my first class in fused glass I knew I had discovered my passion." Pat now works from her home studio in a guest house at the back of her property. The space is large enough to accommodate her workspace and the glass classes she teaches. Other artists still inspire Pat; she states, "I'm inspired by the work of other glass artists as well as sculptors and painters. When I see art that speaks to me, I imagine how I might create something similar in glass." Pat's background in mathematics and computers still influences her work by showing up in geometric pieces. Undoubtedly, she is attracted to the patience and precision it takes to complete each piece successfully. Inspired by her partner Lee, an expert gardener, Pat is experimenting with glasswork for the garden. Her inspiration is sparked by the organic shapes of Lee's gardening designs and creations.
No doubt, artist Pat Isaacson has found her art niche. Joyful Gallery in North Scottsdale, On the Edge Gallery in Old Town Scottsdale, and The Finer Arts Gallery in Cave Creek represent Pat's glass creations. She has also exhibited at the Museum at Sky Harbor, the Hidden in the Hills Studio Tour as a juried member/board member of the Sonoran Arts League, the Schemer Art Center in Phoenix, and WHAM Gallery Surprise, and Tubac, Arizona. Pat is also a member of the Arizona Glass Alliance, Arizona Art Alliance, and a juried member of the Arizona Designer Craft and Art group. Contact her to purchase a piece or to sign-up for one of her glass classes; perhaps you will find glass is the medium for your artist hiding inside.
Email: pat@patsglassstudio.com
Website: www.patsglassstudio.com
