Artisan Crafts interview with LaughingTree

As part of Artisan Crafts Week here on deviantART I'll be doing a series of interviews with some of dA's most prominent crafters.
Next out is LaughingTree - thanks you so much!

First off, please introduce yourself? Who are you, where are you from?

Hello, my name is iLan. I’m originally from Cleveland, Ohio, but for the past 3 years I’ve lived out in Seattle, WA (With a couple stops in between) and can’t imagine anywhere else I’d rather live! I’m constantly amazed by the wonders of Seattle(food)!

How did you get started doing your craft?

Let’s see…  Going back far enough, I suppose my love of arts all started back in high school. And I have my older sister to thank for that. She was always drawing and painting and creating something artistic. She’s 3 years older than me, and suggested I take some art classes when I got to high school. And surprisingly enough, I listened! That definitely sparked my interest. I spent most of high school playing around with various materials. From painting, drawing, ceramics, to wood carving. Everything I could get my hands on. Mostly 2d stuff though.
Following high school, I went to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and earned a degree in special effects. Makeup, animatronics, prop design type of stuff. Really, my time at AIP was a huge introduction to new materials. The school is not really an art school. It was a design school. Or perhaps a production school would be the better term. The taught you how to produce. Following AIP, I went to Ohio State for three years. It was there that I accidentally took glassblowing as an elective. That was the end of that. I switched my major almost immediately. I was hooked! It was at Ohio State that I learned that I could create things that I wanted to create. And it was also there that I was introduced to new materials and processes. Namely, metal fabrication. This would all play an important role in my artistic development…

How would you describe your personal style? And when did you know you had one?

It’s hard for me to say that I have a personal style. Perhaps because I see my own work so much. And my work varies so much between the various series that I’ve done. There are certainly styles to each series, but I don’t know if my work as a whole truly has my own one style. I’d still consider myself to be in the “exploratory” phase of my artistic development. I still create most of my work to play with the materials. There is so much that can be done with what I work with that I still feel like I am beginning every time I start a new project.

What tools and materials do you use? Where do you create - home, studio?

I think tools are one of the reasons I became an artist in the first place. I love tools! I love the idea of owning my own tools to create my own work with. It’s a constantly evolving collection of wonderful tools and devices! One of my favorite things to do is make my own tools! Especially useful for glassblowing. So I even have tools for making more tools! How wonderful is that?!
My tools and materials vary significantly depending on what I’m working on. I recently (6 months ago) started renting studio space in town and it has been wonderful! I can’t imagine making work without it… I have a pretty good metal shop there with most everything I might need to fabricate my work - Everything except a nice blacksmithing area. But I’m also a member of a local foundry co-op which has a nice blacksmithing area so I do my blacksmithing there and my fabrication at my other studio.  I have toolboxes full of tools - An ever-growing collection.
Then I also have my set of glassblowing tools. An equally ever-expanding collection. Some tools are handmade by myself, but most are tools that I’ve slowly acquired over the years one or two at a time… I always get excited at the thought of new tools and at looking through tool catalogs!

In your view, what makes a great crafted creation?

It’s all about the details. You have to put in the effort from start to finish. I have a tendency to give it my all up until the very end. It’s really hard for me to continue at the very end when I know I could just cut a few corners and get it done or spend that extra time and get it finished the way I know I should… To this day I have a hard time with that. But that makes a huge difference in the end. It’s all about the details. If there’s one flaw, people will see that and it will end up as the focal point.

Do you take your own photos? Any tips you want to share for presenting your work?

I do. I’m quite proud of my photography. Especially with glass being so hard to photograph. My roommate and I set up a photo sweep in our basement. I think it takes great photos. And it cost less than $50 to set up including everything! It’s essential to get nice photos taken… No matter how you get it done… For archival purposes, references, and also if you want to be a professional, you have to act like one. It’s essential if you plan on applying for any grants or shows. People will require to see your work, and you can’t always carry around your work with you. And even more so with the internet these days… Emailing pictures is so easy. But a bad picture, will do more harm than good.
If you can’t do it yourself, find a photo student or friend who can and  who’s willing to do it. See if they’ll trade for something!

What inspires you when you create?

My creations all come from my unconscious. I actually don’t do too much thinking before I make the piece. And not even so much during the making of it either. I work as my thoughts come to me. I don’t make an effort to think about it, but just let my hands act as an extension of my mind. With that said, though, I’m deeply fascinated by the complexities in life. The human body amazes me. As does nature (especially trees) and I love form. The shape and form of trees… The human nervous system. Living in Seattle has introduced me to a re-energized love of the outdoors, and it has already shown through in pieces such as my sky-tree series.

What are you up to? Any projects planned?

At the moment, I’m working on a couple commissions. Similar to “Undulation” except free standing. I have 2 free-standing metal sculptures to create, and a few pedestal pieces. I am also in the process of building a power-hammer which will be very exciting once it is complete!  It will open up a lot of new possibilities with forging!

Where would you like to see deviantART head in terms of it's Artisan Craft galleries and community?

I don’t think there really is much that needs to be done for us on here. It’s just a matter of users submitting new work! Although I do think that glassworking should get more than just “paperweights, vases, or tableware” in its categories…

What are your fav pieces of art on dA?

This piece is so simple! Yet so remarkably elegant! I love it because of that. The photo being so nice certainly helps the cause. But really there isn’t much else to say about this piece. It truly is so simple. Yet so sleek and elegant. Great curves!


Ok… This game is freaking amazing! I love it. I played it for hours upon hours… The coding for it is brilliant. Being a flash programmer as well makes me appreciate it a little more I suppose…


I am a sucker for trees! I love this piece. I think it’s executed  perfectly! Wonderful concept and craftsmanship. I really like trees!


The Glome writes some amazing stories to accompany his illustrations, but this story really caught my attention right away even though it’s so short. It was just so cute. I couldn’t resist it! I love it for its cuteness. The drawing and the story go splendidly together!

What's your favourite creation of your own?

One of my favorite pieces of my own is definitely my “Sky-Tree Series”. I have done a handful of them and I like them all! That has rarely every happened. It took me almost 5 years to get a glass tree that I liked. Whenever I work with a new material, generally trees will be the first thing I create. And so on and off for 5 years I tried to make glass trees that I liked… And was never satisfied until this series. I love their colorfulness, playfulness, and grouping.

What is the best tip you can give to others?

You only get out what you put in… Don’t waste your time. Work hard and work effectively. Network as much as you can, but most importantly enjoy what you do! If you lose that, then what’s the point of creating in the first place…