Blog Archives

WOMEN IN NEON | Artist Panel with Pittsburgh Glass Center and She Bends

3/28/2021

UPDATE: embedded Facebook Live Video, Enjoy!

WOMEN IN NEON - Artist Panel with Pittsburgh Glass Center and She Bends

Join us for a virtual discussion and demonstration on Facebook Live with six women who are glowing in neon right now. This special presentation in honor of Women’s History Month is hosted in collaboration with She Bends, the first and only collective of womxn bending their own neon art.

ABOUT

Hello Lightning Tamers!

Join Pittsburgh Glass Center for a virtual discussion and demonstration on Facebook Live with six women who are glowing in neon right now. This special presentation in honor of Women’s History Month is hosted in collaboration with She Bends, the first and only collective of womxn bending their own neon art.

Meet the women who are illuminating the industry and the art. Watch a live bending demonstration and learn about the history and future of neon with She Bends Founder Meryl Pataky. Ask questions and learn more. Featured artists include:

Sarah Blood, Alfred, NY
Eve Hoyt, Philadelphia, PA
Danielle James “DJ”, Durham, NC
Leticia Maldonado "Tiza", LA, CA
Megan Stelljes, Lakewood, WA
Harriet Schwarzrock, Queanbeyan, Australia

The work of all of these artists is currently on view at Pittsburgh Glass Center in the new exhibition Light in Transmission through May 9.

She Bends - WOMXN IN NOEN

WOMXN IN NEON. THE FIRST & ONLY COLLECTIVE OF WOMXN BENDING THEIR OWN NEON ART. PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF OUR MEDIUM BEYOND THE CONFINES OF COMMERCIAL SIGNAGE. MOVING OUR CRAFT TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY & DIVERSITY.

0 Comments

Mindset | The Breadth of All Things

3/17/2021

0 Comments

Hello Lightning Tamers!

I'm currently writing and preparing for Chapter 4 of the Intro to Plasma Series: Starting your plasma Journey!

Thought I'd share with you some philosophical aspects that I've used to overcome the negatives in my life, but have appeared in my pursuit of plasma art and education.

â€‹-Percy Echols II | Taming Lightning

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Percy Echols II (@taminglightning)

The Breadth of All Things
A passion, a flame.
To tame the impossible;
an idea, a bolt of lightning.
To observe the inner and outer worlds;
You are inspired to show it.
To seek knowledge and experience;
You are compelled to build it.
To hone one's understanding;
You are empowered to share it.
To arrive without discord;
Find overlap in connection
The Breadth of all things.

-B.A. Mir

GEEX x Taming Lightning Intro to Plasma Series - An entry level overview of Plasma Sculpture

In this collaboration between Percy Echols II of Taming Lightning and Ben Orozco of GEEX, the two respective plasma and neon artists/technicians are producing a 4-chapter series for glass educators and co-learners new to the plasma process, introducing elements of plasma in an easy-to-apply format, while touching on Percyâ€™s journey as a self-starter and alchemist.

0 Comments

Plasma Art Alliance | Call for Plasma Artists Worldwide!

3/13/2021

0 Comments

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Percy Echols II (@taminglightning)

Hello Lightning Tamers!

The Glass Art Societyâ€™s 2021 conference will once again be held virtually due to the continuing pandemic. In an effort to share our work with fellow artists, the Plasma Art Alliance is planning a virtual group exhibition, to be presented in the form of a video compilation, showing plasma light artworks collected from studios around the world.

video: Pangea PLASMA PLANET by Gerhard Hochmuth and Bernd Weinmayer

PLASMA ART ALLIANCE - We explore the fourth state of matter

The mission of the Plasma Art Alliance (PAA) is to promote illuminated plasma in glass as a sculptural art medium; foster public awareness of this art form through exhibitions, conferences and educational outreach; and support the exchange of information related to techniques and technologies essential to the advancement of the field.

0 Comments

Krypton Rising! | How has the pandemic affected the Rare Gas Market?

3/10/2021

1 Comment

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Percy Echols II (@taminglightning)

Hello Lightning Tamers!

â€‹I was surprised to see how the pandemic has affected the Rare Gas Market! Thanks to Jim Avolt for providing insight!

What gas did you think would have had the biggest increase? How surprised were you about the reveal?

This is an update on the EP 36 and 3rd chapter of the Intro to Plasma Series.
Added:

Online Community Links
Example of Collaborators for Plasma Fills!
Rare Gas Market and Global Rare Gases Pricing

-Percy | Taming Lightning

Intro to plasma CH.3

Taming Lightning x GEEX: Intro to Plasma Series - An entry level overview of Plasma Sculpture

In this collaboration between Percy Echols II of Taming Lightning and Ben Orozco of GEEX, the two respective plasma and neon artists/technicians are producing a 4-chapter series for glass educators and co-learners new to the plasma process, introducing elements of plasma in an easy-to-apply format, while touching on Percyâ€™s journey as a self-starter and alchemist.

1 Comment

Tyler School of Art + Architecture | 2021 Laurie Wagman Lecture Series: Percy Echols II

3/4/2021

0 Comments

Hello Lighting Tamers!

For those of you who couldn't make the lecture! Fear not, for I have recorded the entire talk, including the Q&A at the end. This lecture is not a replacement for watching the series and discussion with the plasma community, but if you want to hear my story and a quick overview on creating a vessel for plasma and testing the waters by working with collaborators then have at it. You might find yourself wanting to watch the Series!

You know I feel really good about this talk. I don't do them very often, and it's good to finally be able to get questions beyond the "How do you do plasma?". I believe the Intro to plasma series with GEEX has definitely helped me organize and share some fundamental thoughts on plasma, in which 4 years ago would have been impossible for me to imagine explaining or even talk about.

Thank you for watching,

Percy Echols II | Taming Lightning