About Maggie C

Stained glass artist, writer, respecter of life.

Stained Glass Production: at the Corner of Art and Environment

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Maggie C

Interior corner at the Uroboros Glass studio in Portland, OR.

The art glass industry is facing many changes lately, and it’s hard for me to get on board with the direction things seem to be going, even though I feel like I “should” think it’s all for the better. Even though it IS for the better. Likely.

In the Pacific Northwest where I live, two of the three nearest art glass manufacturers have essentially gone out of business recently, in large part due to newly imposed environmental regulations. Growing concern about poisonous contamination from glass factory operations have led to tighter – and very costly – restrictions on manufacturers, and the expense of implementing the revised safeguards has been crippling to the industry.

Glass bins were nearly empty at the Uroboros Glass factory as of mid-July, 2017

One could question the impetus for such strict mandates: How viable were the environmental studies, and did they provide an accurate depiction of environmental impacts? Was there consideration and investigation of other potential sources of contamination in the tested areas? Are the specific restrictions and requirements that have been imposed actually effective and/or what is needed to improve safe factory operation?

Maybe it simply boils down to “better safe than sorry.” Environmental, ecological and human preservation and safety are paramount, and if the art glass industry has to sacrifice certain hues of glass to contain unhealthy contaminants, then so be it.

A no-brainer, I suppose. But still…

Entry to Uroboros Glass Studio in Portland, OR.

Production of art glass previously produced by the two closed factories, Uroboros Glass and Spectrum Glass, has been taken over by another glass manufacturer, Oceanside Glasstile, and moved to a different, less restrictive location. But that doesn’t really resolve the issues.

There are still myriad choices in color, texture, opacity and other facets of art glass, certainly enough to feed my artistic soul for a long time to come. Perhaps I need to be open to “turning the corner,” and seeing what new “avenues” appear, so to speak; non-toxic avenues that will help sustain ALL of us for a long time to come.

The Daily Post weekly photo challenge: Corner

Weekend Wildcard: It’s All About Me

Posted on August 13, 2017 by Maggie C

It’s a peaceful Sunday morning. Rain is drizzling outside after too long of a dry spell. The air smells fresher, the flowers are standing straighter…

and three people were killed yesterday and many more injured as a result of a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Oh, yeah, I forgot my precautionary statement:

WARNING! I’m writing about controversial topics today. Those who don’t want to read about my concerns, fears, anger, righteousness or whatever else might come up, please feel free to pass on today’s post.

No judgment. I’d likely pass on reading many people’s opinions, too, especially if they didn’t mirror my own. And I’d much rather read (and write!) about the nice relaxed Sunday morning I’m spending with a strong cup of cold brew, contented pets napping on the sofa, and a cool breeze coming in through the open windows. But I’m writing about divisiveness and responsibility instead.

I’m not a person of color, a military veteran, physically disabled, or of a minority race. I’m not a Democrat or a Republican. I’m not wealthy. I’m not poor. I vote, but it isn’t really anybody’s business as to whom I vote for. That is, after all, why voting is confidential in the United States.

I’m a middle class, straight, white ‘merican. Privileged to the hilt. Some might think I don’t “get it” when it comes to the horrible discrimination and bigotry engulfing the world today. That’s okay, though, because

IT’S NOT ABOUT ME!

“It” is about the current state of affairs in the USA, in the world, in Charlottesville, VA and in the town I call home. “It” is about violence, prejudice, hatred and all the –phobias. It’s about freedom… of religion, of speech, of political ideology; the right to tote guns around if one so desires, and the right to walk down a street with a reasonable expectation that one won’t be gunned down.

“It” is about morality, human decency, equality, compassion, working in unity for the betterment of all.

The more I think about “it,” the more I realize

It’s ALL about me.

And it’s all about you. It’s about your neighbor and your fellow citizens and the immigrant family down the street, and the citizens and families in other countries that might be wondering when and from which direction the nuclear bombs will soon be coming.

I have all the answers to all these issues, and so do you. Most likely they’re not the same answers, maybe not even by a long shot. But we must look for answers, discuss “it,” and search for common ground, common decency, and common sense in addressing “it.” Because you and I – no matter how we are sliced and diced in societal definitions and identities – are the only ones who can find and lead the way through these self-created mires.

Today I will do something – something with love and rationality and peaceful intention; something towards stopping violence and hate. I ask that you do something likewise.

Today, as I sit in my cozy home enjoying the privileges of freedoms and presumed safety that I so often take for granted, I will remember with gratitude those who have made and continue to make them possible.

Today I will honor those killed in defending human kindness, and I will mourn the fact that such defense is even necessary.

Tomorrow I will write about the cooling breeze and the freshness of the cleansing rain. And I will repeat today’s commitments. Because that is the only way humanity can be redeemed.