Richard Marquis is one of the artists I’ve been wanting to write about. I have a profound respect and curiosity for his work. One of the themes for which he is known is teapots. Glass teapots. And some of his best-known pieces are from his Crazy Quilt Series. The technical skill required to construct the pieces shown below staggers my mind. Working with hot glass is one of the most physically demanding mediums in the art world. So, I find the whimsical and fragile teapots quite remarkable.

And it is work like this which makes me ask my “Why Teapot?” question again and again.

Richard Marquis has had a profound influence over glass art in the United States and around the world. He was one of the first Americans to study in Venice with the masters of hot glass. Known for their goblets, I cannot help but smile at the addition of little teapots in the stems of elegant glass bowls on pedestals. Whatever his intention for these, I am filled with delight.

And teapots as trophies.

I wanted to share this work with you tea lovers because I believe it will make you smile. And because I feel like tea is being honored when an artist chooses elements of the traditions as part of their visual vocabulary.

Art as an industry, and particularly art education, is one area of our economic crisis being devastated. Art like this will become much more difficult to produce. Teachers and mentors like Richard Marquis will become rare. Some traditions are in danger of being lost from lack of appreciation.

So, I was wondering . . . could it be that the world’s image of tea lovers is that they also have a greater appreciation for the arts?

Popularity: 37% [?]