PeTeR LaYtOn gLaSs StUdiO

Wednesday, December 3rd

After breakfast this morning, I went to history class. Today’s topic of discussion covered World War II and Winston Churchill. Our professor actually grew up during this time, and told us about how he remembered being jealous of his little sister because she was young enough to have a mickey mouse gas mask, and he wasn’t. It is crazy to think that everyone had to carry one around with them.

It was also really interesting to see the war from another perspective. As Americans, we are so used to hearing about Pearl Harbor, or other significant events from the American perspective. Being the history buff that I am, with a huge interest in WWII, hearing different aspects from this side was definitely a change.

After class, I watched a bit of TV in the lounge upstairs, and there was a crazy American radio host talking about all kinds of economic issues with the press here in Britain. I felt so stupid being an American watching that with other foreign students because the guy was making himself and our country look so stupid… The other students in the room were making comments about how crazy he was, so I said that I was American, and not to judge us by this guy because he was crazy. Ha. I ended up talking with another girl in the room who is from Russia, and I guess she studied in Texas and California for a while as well.

Anyway, I met up with everyone for lunch and then Colin and I got on the tube. He was heading off to work and I was on my way to the Peter Layton glass studio where one of my fellow classmates, Deb, is working this semester.

I got off by London Bridge and went to the studio and wow! What amazing work they have there! I have always had a fascination with blown glass and think it is an amazing process with such incredible results. A few years ago, I went to visit my aunt in Iowa and while I was there I had the opportunity to see the Bogenreif studios- which creates blown glass items and giant stained glass displays. I thought the work was absolutely gorgeous and I was so inspired.

Deb works at the studioof professional artist, Peter Layton. He is a world renowned glass blower of the same high reputation as Dale Chihuly. I was able to view their gallery, watch the glass blowers in progress, and even meet some of the artists, including Peter Layton himself. The work was outstanding and I ended up purchasing a small piece. Deb and I left together around 4:30 and I got on the incredibly packed tube for rush hour.

On the tube she told me that after I walked out of the studio to look at the gallery, the younger artist, Jacken asked about me and was apparently too shy to come talk to me more. I had started casual conversation with him in my introduction upon entering, asked him about something he was working on later, and watched him work the rest of the afternoon. It was pretty funny because he went over to change the music on the computer and still had his glass rod in the other hand. There were a few chairs sitting around there where people could sit and watch the artists work so I had set my jacket and fleece on this chair. He wasn’t quite paying attention and all of a sudden we all heard this singeing sound. He quickly got flustered and started apologizing profusely. It wasn’t a big deal because it didn’t burn all the way through or anything, and at least it was just my fleece and not my nice jacket. Really, you could hardly tell. It was just funny because he felt so bad and was probably even more embarrassed with the impression he was making on the ‘cute American girl,’ Deb told me. Haha. I thought it was rather funny.

Anyway, all of the work was really impressive, and I really hope to do some glass blowing myself someday. There are classes and workshops that you can take in Wisconsin, and who knows, maybe I'll get to study with a professional artist like these guys someday. :)