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Love of Sea - Inspires Unique Glass Art
While the sandblast artist typically uses computer created and machine cut stencils, Goodwin creates his own original works that are first hand drawn. The process is more extensive than etched glass and involves the use of several types of brushes and tools, along with a sandblasting technique using an air compressor. Popular among his collection are the barware designs, which feature a colorful variety of one-of-a-kind etched glasses and accessories.
Goodwin works diligently to portray an image as realistically as possible. However, this artist does not mind getting a little funky. Some of his pieces depict what he calls a pop art style, such as a squid figurine inspired by a comic book character’s evil look, combined with a crazy and fun style.
“I always do something different and new, he said. “It can be as fun as I want to take it.” He works mostly with glass, but also creates pieces in wood and ceramics. Many detailed pieces are labor intensive, Goodwin said, but he usually foresees the outcome of each piece. In some cases, however, the artwork “takes on a life of its own.” A glass bowl titled “Flow,” which started without a planned design, ended up featuring detailed waves, wrapped intricately around the bowl.
While working, Goodwin wears goggles, which become quite dusty making it impossible to see clearly each work in progress. For this reason, the artist is always moving his hands. "I am constantly touching and feeling each piece," he said. "I follow my own pattern in my head."
As a young kid, Goodwin, who had no formal art classes, loved to doodle and sketch medieval figures and warplanes. He liked to play with clay, working and maneuvering the medium with his hands. While growing up in St. Petersburg, he spent a lot of time on his mother’s sailboat. The ocean and fish greatly influenced his art. As a youngster, he was eager to learn how to surf, which in Florida, meant going out in the gulf during stormy weather. Even today, Goodwin looks forward to the hurricane season, in hopes of high surf. He spent a couple of years surfing and working as an artist in Hawaii before settling in the area and working fulltime in his craft for the past 13 years.
Goodwin welcomes ideas and input from clients. Since entryways typically feature a lot of glass, enhancement in this area of home interior is unlimited. Bathrooms and kitchens are also areas for possible artistic enhancement in the home. Area business owners commission a good bit of his work, especially glass etched logos.
Several studios across the country display Goodwin’s work. Most recently, Goodwin completed a three-foot tall, three-eighths inch thick Great White Shark purchased by the Minneapolis, Minnesota Aquarium. Hunter Studio www.hunterglass.com 352-213-3998.