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Do note that there's so much goes into the process of Plasma Sculpture that I'm just focusing on presenting the fundamental and essential methods, while collecting and providing resources for further self-study and knowledge. That is to say I will fill in the science and history where it is necessary or difficult to resource, but will not got into a sort of technical manual writing. Due to this being my formative years of experience, in addition to developing working methods for my particular environment, such as the public studio at Pittsburgh Glass Center, it's hard to pin down many other details since my knowledge expands and updates very quickly; though if encouraged to share, I would be open to talking about moment to moment findings, just a I do with my contemporaries.
Thank you to the students or rather co-learners, instructors, and TA’s of 2022 Neon and Plasma Summer workshop, Borderline, taught by James Akers, Sean Bradley, and myself at the Pittsburgh Glass Center.
It was personally a challenging week for me, as I could not be there for the majority of the day, yet everyone worked hard, played hard, and had a good time. This was the first time we've run any of the neon torches for a class, I appreciate every bit of feedback I received, especially of the presentations I shared with you during the class. It was due to your input that I have felt ready to share this document for further research and implementation.
If you're interested in my particular thoughts on something, please ask, I'll even see if I can discuss that question with someone more experienced so we can get a well rounded answer.
As always, Be safe, be healthy, and be strong, and I'll see you next time, 
-Percy Echols II,Taming Lightning
Music Credit
Music credits to the following artists in order of appearance:
New Job | Swagelok Pittsburgh - Warehouse AssociateManifold Maintenance | PrometheusFabrication & Assembly | Studio Crossfires
​I need some time to adapt before putting out more episodes. That means cutting back on things to focus on what’s important. Whether that's restructuring my time for research and art making.
Maybe it’s just an excuse to get ahead on things, I’m never really good at doing absolutely nothing, so we’ll see how I’ll improve on that.
Before I go, I need to ask a favor. If you could, I’d like you leave a comment about what you’d like to hear about on the podcast, it could be something from a previous guest or something new. I’d love to hear it, so I can help share it.
Feel free to share, comment, and subscribe. As always Be Safe, Be Healthy, and Be Strong, and I’ll See you next time. 
Percy Echols II, Taming Lightning
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n 2010, Thomas was contacted by longtime friend and fellow glass worker Denis Eckstein about purchasing the business Neon Lab, which had been established in 1999. Putting his life savings on the line, Tom did not hesitate to take on this opportunity.
Along with running Neon Lab, Thomas also teaches a course called “Neon: Light as Sculpture†at the University of Wisconsin Madison. A fine art based neon program that puts emphasis on the creative side of glass blowing and neon being used as sculpture. Tom has facilitated and curated many shows through the university for students and professional artists alike. Thomas currently has original artwork in the Milwaukee Art Museum, as well as shown work at MOMA New York City, MOMA San Francisco, and the Schaulager (sh’ow-la-gur) Art Museum - Basil, Switzerland. Tom was fortunate to be included as one of three current glass benders to work with contemporary American artist, Bruce Nauman. Neon Lab is going strong, it is a small operation with a big heart. Thomas is dedicated to the craft of neon and is working to ensure it's future is bright and colorful. ​ Welcome to the Podcast Tom! Show NotesMusic Credits
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I hope you enjoyed the podcast. As mentioned at the start of this episode, Tom Zickuhr has been a recommendation for quite awhile. And like many of our guests there’s a interesting story with each and every person. Sometimes what your passionate about is is given as gift or opportunity, other times you bear all the effort, at least from a limited perspective its seems to be one or the other, but here we have an example showing both, luck, effort, and determination! I’m happy to see that things have been improving for Tom. Both our situation with the Pandemic and it’s effects worldwide, and I’m historian, mirror what the ladies at Neon Nonsense, have spoke about, as noted in 60’s Henry Eccles, regarding the highs and lows of the prevalence of neon. Which you can check out on Neon Nonsense Podcast hosted by Alleson Buchanon and Danielle James aka DJ in episode 4 featuring Robert Haus, aka the Neon Archeologist.
Thank you Thomas Zickuhr for your time on the podcast, and love seeing your recent experiments and troubleshooting on the Neon and Plasma Art for Beginner Facebook Group! I recommend checking out the facebook group, Neon and Plasma Art for Beginners, there’s always a dozen hands to help, and you may find some equipment for sale as well. I'd like to thank Pittsburgh Glass Center for supporting me as a place of research and inspiration. Plasma Art Alliance where I have access to the well of knowledge and connects me to some amazing and supportive people, and lastly both sponsors in this episode The Glass Art Society and Garrett Churchill from Fluxeon. Feel free to share, comment, and subscribe. As always Be Safe, Be Informed, and Be Curious, and I’ll See you next time. 
Percy Echols II, Taming Lightning
​But I've discovered a different term, Atupa, meaning "lamp" or "lantern", as I move into the next stages of my career (I'll talk about this in a future post or podcast, a lot has happened for me during the last few years) the work was transformed for me, as a object of light, a lantern a lamp in similar representation of say the DC comic superhero Green Lantern. An object of power, and a Battery of Will.
I want to shift my work into these objects after I finish a few more of my Inspire Pieces. Below you can see some images staged in my apartment and my Instagram post showing my progression for this peice over the last 2 years, as well as livestream links on my design process, utilizing my latest acquisition of a methodology for glass solder, which Ed Kirshner and I discuss for an upcoming workshop at the Pittsburg Glass Center this summer. Feel free to share, comment, and subscribe. As always Be Safe, Be Informed, and Be Curious, and I’ll See you next time. 
Percy Echols II
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Welcome to Taming Lightning, I'm Percy Echols II. I'm the creator and host of Taming Lightning, as well as the emerging plasma tech at Pittsburgh Glass Center, where I'm researching and developing a space to explore Plasma and Neon Light as an Artist Medium.
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