MtM Design LLC

Michael T. Moran – Artist Statement I began working with glass in 1989 shortly after graduating with a master’s degree in architecture. I worked as an assistant for an experienced glass artist, and also took evening classes at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. In the first 10 years of my work, I pursued glass arts as an avocation while I was building my career in architecture. My work during this period was sculptural and experimental. While I devoted much time to learning the craft, practicing the basic functional vessels, and learning various aspects of technique, I committed a portion of each work session at the furnace to discovery of the plastic qualities of hot glass. In this way I was able to make progress in both skill and personal expression. At some point around the year 2000, my professional responsibilities in architecture had become all consuming of my time, and I took a break from glass making. While I was getting the opportunity to design and build many buildings, I made glass only occasionally while conducting my duties as an associate principal in a growing practice. The economic crash of 2008 dramatically reduced work and opportunity in architecture. I decided to take a break from corporate practice. I soon returned to the passions of glass making, and have since been working as a studio artist, instructor, and demonstrator at Third Degree Glass Factory. Presently my work in glass arts is focused on both design and discovery. Therefore I am concerned with building mastery in the craft through the development and production of innovative glassware, all the while searching for the forms, colors and compositions that clearly express my particular obsessions. These include a love of platonic geometry, space and patterns; a paradoxical affinity with the fluid and chaotic form of hot glass; and entranced interest in vivid, saturated colors. I delight in making things that are useful and beautiful, but also love making sculptural and imaginative objects that are open to impressions and interpretation.