Here at IgniteMe.co we’re always on the look out for the latest and greatest in glass art both in pipe form and not. Being that the number of borosilicate flame workers is dramatically rising we have started to see a massive wave of artists veteran and new emerging from the shadows eager to show their art. One such collective of artisans Plump Glass has been making waves with their spot-on functional recreations of every day items as well as their clean lines, colors and shaping which has made them a cut above the rest. We got the exclusive opportunity to sit down with the guy’s from Plump to see what it’s all about.
1. Why the name PLUMP? Any story behind it or was it just a randomly selected name?
The name Plump I came up with in 1998 when it was based on style. The designs I came up with and was creating were bulbous and fat and really thick. I thought it would stick and it was a cool word. Plump is voluptuous, ripe, abundant, and beautiful. I still to this day feel it to be a great description for the work we make today.
2. How many people make up the PLUMP team, who?
We have five artist that all have their own style and bring something different to Plump.
1. Ryan Rosburg – I started the company and have 16 years blowing glass.
2. Josh Bodner – Has been with Plump just over one a year and has blowing glass 13 years.
3. Sparklin’ Phil Larkin – Has been with Plump almost a year and has been blowing glass 12 years.
4. Tyrel Rathe aka NFS aka Rone – Has 13 years blowing glass and just joined Plump 5 months ago.
5. Jason Kay – Holds down the Studio from the business standpoint all sales, marketing, graphics, website, Facebook, etc. He has limited time behind the torch but has concepts and established products for the catalog. He joined me almost two years ago to jump start Plump.
3. Where are you guys located?
We are located in beautiful Boulder, Colorado. In a studio east Pearl Street. Each person is from a different part of the country that now calls Boulder home.
Ryan – CO
Sparklin Phil Larkin – PA
Josh Bodner – NY
Tyrel Rathe – Idaho
Jason Kay – OH
4. What types of projects do you take on typically? What is your “bread and butter” per say…
Each artist brings their own unique style to Plump. Each person contributes what they love to do and working together, we bounce ideas off each other and continue to grow as artist. Under one roof. If you look at artist in other countries they show work with each other and have group shows. They lift each other up instead of hate on them. Americans have a hard time seeing this work together style and everyone gets a piece of the pie. Americans are molded from birth to watch our back and get whatever you can for yourself. Plump broke that mold and wants all of us to do well and succeed. And it is working. More minds More ideas More Money.
5. What don’t people understand about what your artists do?
I love this question. The thing that people do not understand about true artist is that it’s almost like there is an empty void inside us. That only can be filled when we are expressing ourselves. Whether it’s making music, writing, painting, blowing glass, whatever…Only when we are consumed with the idea at that very moment that time ceases to exist, and all other things melt away. We feel complete and fulfilled. We care so much about this that other things become of little importance. And at the end of it all, it doesn’t really matter if anyone else gets it. The important thing is to turn an idea, expression, or concept into something that exist. Our job is complete, but only for an instant. This hunger is what drives us. Only through the exploration of our own emptiness will we find what it means to be complete.
6. Any artists who you guys would like to collaborate with in the future?
Each other and whoever wants to show love be positive and add to Plump Studio.
7. What makes Plump different from the rest?
The plump philosophy is that we wish to promote not just the work of the artist but also the artists an individual. We do not try to own someones design just because it can sell and make money. We are more interested in being an entity that retailers can get everything from high-end artistic pieces to low-end production pieces that we sill take great pride in making. We are not a distributer, but more like an umbrella. We sell work only from the plump studio. To sum it up we are a family then a regular business. It is all or nothing. If we don’t take care of one another, then we will never make it. Together we are strong, or we shall struggle alone.
8. How is glass blowing an art as opposed to a craft?
This is the big question. It has been and will be debated till the end of time. I think that anything can be art. With glass some debate it is a craft some say it is art. If you have a vision in your mind that can become physical thought the manipulation of a raw material and the skill of your hands and temperament, that’s art. Glass is a perfect example of how a vision can come to life and shatter in a hundred pieces. Later, we push the limits of existing art culture by constantly being exposed to tradition, innovation, market saturation, misunderstanding of the public, and glaring impermanence. Very few other arts more directly utilize a basic element as effectively as glassblowers, lamp workers in particular. We use the element of destruction to create some of the most fragile, elegant, and detailed work ever to exist. Glass is more than art. It is a reinventing the tools of our planet and complementing the nature of existence.
Recently at the Modern Museum of Art in LA graffiti was exhibited and is now in the collection. With millions spent at auction now graffiti is mainstream and everyone jumped on the bandwagon. Now everyone see that as art. Plump hope to push the envelope and with the right people to push the art it too will be at museums across the globe.
Plump has been making tremendous waves with their “spot-on” sculpting style as well as their all around “clean” look. As we went to pick some selected gems for you to look at we found ourselves adding photo after photo…after photo. So sit back, relax and check out some of the cream of the crop brought to you by Plump Glass!
“Black Glass Heart” – By: Ryan Rosburg
“Implosion Dish & Dabber Set” – By: Josh Bodner
“Dill Dough Bread” – By: Ryan Rosburg
“McPlump Pipe” – By: Ryan Rosburg
“Turkey Legs” – By: Ryan Rosburg
“Stash Jars” – By: Josh Bodner
“Face Hitters” – By: Tyrel Rathe aka NFS aka Rone
“Sharpie Pipe” – By: Tyrel Rathe aka NFS aka Rone
“40 oz. of Freedom” – By: Ryan Rosburg
“Pink Taco” – By: Ryan Rosburg
“Untitled” – By: Josh Bodner
“Freshly Brewed” – By: Josh Bodner
“Olde Head Pipes” By: Sparklin’ Phil Larkin
“Encalmo Pipe” – By: Sparklin’ Phil Larkin
“Krylon Slides” – By: Jason
“The Hippie Kit” – Tyrel Rathe aka NFS aka Rone
We hope you enjoyed all of these “plump” gems, if you are interested in picking up some Plump glass please look to your local authorized Plump retailer. If you don’t know one near you, contact Plump via their official website where you can find all necessary contact information. If you’d like to carry Plump glass at your shop please contact their sales dept. at Jekay@yahoo.com.
