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Artist

Josh Simpson

Configuring Glass

An Interview ur Earth, which seems so limitless, is really only a tiny little blue marble floating
by Judy Gonyeau, in the black void of space. Our planet, which seems so infinite, has to be treated
managing editor
Owith kindness and respect. That’s where the making of Planets started.
– Josh Simpson

Josh Simpson to Ground Control physics, laughter, the sky, friends,
The celebrated maker of glass Planets, Tektites, Disks, vases, and family provide him non-stop
bowls, and assorted other interstellar phenomena has now reached the inspiration every day. Simpson is
point in his tenure as a true glass artist where some of his work is now entering the third quarter of a
considered Vintage, and all of it is century of using his own formulas
highly—even obsessively—collectible. for glass and techniques that go
Even after reaching his 50th year of beyond the usual—yet not far
creative glass work, Josh Simpson is from the ancient—to make
on a roll. In his Artist Statement, Planets, spheres, sculptures, and
Simpson sums it up this way: more. “What delights me about
“Glass has held my attention for 50 these objects that I make is they
years now, which is amazing because I transcend race, culture, and religion.
have interests that scatter me in many Everybody gets it. Every viewer in
directions. … When it’s hot, glass is essence (becomes) a small child
alive! It moves gracefully and inex- when they pick up a little marble
orably in response to gravity and cen- or one of my Planets. It’s a little Josh’s wife, former NASA astronaut
tripetal force. It possesses an inner world that you can see inside. … I Cady Coleman, with Planets in the
light and transcendent radiant heat have photos of people from all International Space Station. 2001.
photo: Paolo Nespoli
that makes it simultaneously one of walks of life holding Planets and
the most rewarding and one of the most frustrating materials for an they see a wonderful little precious thing. Everyone understands them,
artist to work with. Most of my work reflects a compromise between no matter what their political lor religious leanings are, or their gender,
the molten material and me; each finished piece is a solidified moment age, or ethnicity.”
when we both agree.”
Space is hardly a final frontier for Simpson. Space, atmospheric Part Creator, Part Chemist, Part Engineer
phenomena, color, form, function, mechanics, chemistry, exploration, Back in 1971, Simpson was majoring in Psychology at
Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, when he fashioned his
own opportunity to experience glass blowing. “I’d seen a glass studio at
Goddard College when visiting a high school friend who was a student
there, and it looked incredibly fun. So, for the January term of my
senior year, I somehow convinced the Dean that there was some sort of
academically redeeming value in my blowing glass at Goddard for a
month. And bless him, he let me go.” Then, Simpson quit school (with
only one course remaining between him and a diploma!) and moved on
to Marshfield, Vermont, to establish Burnt Mountain Glass. “I
dropped out of college and rented 50 acres of land in northern
Vermont for $22.50 a month. On that land I sewed a teepee to live in
and then, using recycled and found materials, I built a tiny little studio
that was 12’ by 12’ by 12’. That’s where I taught myself to blow glass.”
Simpson had a natural affinity to glassmaking thanks to his up-
Detail, Renwick Megaplanet.
photo: Lewis Legbreaker
bringing. “My dad was very cool about letting my two brothers and me
Header Images: Top left: Verdant Megaplanet, 2001, 10” dia. photo: Tommy Olaf Elder; Bottom left:

Flame Front Stellar Disk, 2017, 16" Dia. Photo: Lewis Legbreaker; Bottom right: Microplanet. photo: Special Glass Supplement 202 3 13
Lewis Legbreaker; Background image: Blue Megaplanet, 1993, 5.25” dia. photo: Lewis Legbreaker