Meet the Artist Kandyse Whitney of Blue Fox Glass

This week's blog was written by painter, Jennie O'Connor. Jennie interviewed glass artist Kandyse Whitney of Blue Fox Glass. You can see Kandyse's exquisite works at Artistic Portland Monday-Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from noon to 5.

How long have you been a part of Artistic Portland, and what appealed to you about joining the Co-op?
I joined Artistic Portland in February 2014.  I had recently moved back to the Portland area and was looking for places to sell my work.  I enjoy being part of a community of artists who inspire each other.
 
What’s your background?
For the most part my non-creative work has been typical 9-5 office work providing administrative support.
Why do you do what you do?
Glass fascinates me because of its wide range of colors and what you can create with it.  I love that artists can work with it in both liquid and solid states.  Recently, I have also been working with recycled glass, turning it into functional bowls, decorative starfish, and unique pendants. 

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Where do you create?
I turned one of our extra bedrooms into a studio where all the designing, cutting, and assembling takes place.  The kilns (I have two) are in the garage.  Another bedroom is where I photograph my items and package them for shipping.
 
What’s your favorite piece you’ve ever created?
I think my favorite piece is from when I was working in stained glass.  I made a clown wearing patchwork pants sitting in the rain with a ribbon umbrella.  Maybe someday I’ll recreate it in fused glass.

If you could wake up tomorrow with a new artistic skill, what would it be?
Probably the ability to see things in abstract.  There are times when my left brain is too rigid for the vision of how I want a piece to look.
 
What do you like to do when you're not creating?
Reading a book or spending too much time on Facebook.