Artist Gallery

Marcus Thesing

Growing up in Southern California, always outdoors, the beach, the mountains, canyon hikes leading to beautiful waterfalls, the color and form of every part of nature has had a direct influence on my work. I love the simple yet dynamic ways of nature. I became interested in art at a young age, my father being a sculptor as a young man, always having his figurative sculpture around as I grew up, influenced me and motivated me towards sculpture and 3/D art. While attending Orange Coast College obtaining my AA degree and preparing to transfer to a university I explored almost every art class they had to offer, from figurative sculpture and drawing to computer graphics and photo, 3/D color and design, painting and bronze casting. I was absorbing techniques and finding focus, when I met John Barber a master glassblower living in beautiful laguna beach. He invited me to visit his glass studio to witness molten glass being made into art. He then said "step up and take a gather" I was overwhelmed, the glass is so fluid but yet so strong, it was surreal, I was hooked. Finally after four years of exploring all different mediums I knew I found the one, glass. That moment at John's studio I had a flashback, when I was a young boy my parents would take me to the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach to watch the glassblowers, John was one of those artists.

John Barber, seeing my enthusiasm, then offered me a three year apprenticeship to explore the medium and assist him in making works of art. After three years of engaging the glass, I felt that I yearned for more development of my skills before designing my own work, so I stayed to work with John for six more years. Those years were a very valuable time for me to hone my skills and learn new techniques, develop designs and sell my own work. After nine years of working for the master glassblower John Barber it was time to move on. I could learn no more from John and yearned for my own studio.

In 2003 the dream came true, building my own glassblowing studio. Now I have more time to focus on creating new designs and ways to express myself with this molten medium, which I love, GLASS!

Education and Training:br /> Orange Coast College AA degree
Certificate in computer graphics
Certificate in 3/D color and design
Three year apprenticeship under Master Glass Blower John Barber
Six years employed by Master Glass Blower John Barber, assisting and Gaffer
Three months cold-working for glass artist Gavin Heath

Exhibitions and Shows:
Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival Exhibitor for eight years and running
Pacific Fine Art Festivals Strawberry Festival juried show, 2000-2004
Best Of Show 2002 Pacific Fine Art festivals Strawberry Festival, Oxnard museum purchase
West Coast Artists Juried shows, 2001-2006
Laguna Craft Guild shows, 2000-2005
Irvine Fine Arts center, spring and fall shows, 2000-2002
Huntington Beach City Art Festival juried show, 2002