Every year the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has a spring flower show in February. And every year they feature an artist as a part of the show. This year the spring flower show featured artist is Delano, MN glass artist, Donna Rice. She creates glass crystal sculptures inspired by nature.
Spring Flower Show Featured Artist
My crystal sculptures are created using a lost wax process similar to bronze casting. Each of my sculptures begins with a hand-built, positive wax model that is encased in special plasters to create a refractory mold. The wax form is melted out and the negative void is filled with crystal inside a hot kiln. When cool, the plaster mold is broken away and the crystal sculpture is revealed. — Donna Rice website
As soon as I saw photos of her work on the Spring Flower Show web page I was intrigued, but seeing the actual pieces at the Arboretum’s Spring Flower Show impressed me even more. Because so much of my photography is inspired by nature I feel drawn to her glass creations. It was difficult for me to pick a favorite piece among those displayed at the Spring Flower Show. But if I had to pick a single piece I think it would be the Pink Lady’s Slipper sculpture.
Looking at the different nature sculptures reminds me of my Wild Altars series of photographs. The luminous spiritual quality of nature shines through.
Although my sculptures are subjectively personal, I believe their emotional context is universal. We all enjoy some connection to nature throughout our lives, whether consciously or otherwise. I use glass to preserve the fragile, natural elements we collect to remember special moments in time. — Donna Rice
Another of my favorites is the sculpture featured in the top image in this post.
“Our task must be to free ourselves… by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and it’s beauty.”
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And of course the crystal bird sculptures also warm my heart, reminding me of how my heart soars along with birds flying high overhead.
The Spring Flower Show is open through February. If you have a chance, it’s worth a visit. I’ll share photos of the flowers and other things that I enjoyed in another post soon.
May you walk in beauty.
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