We had the good fortune of connecting with Gina Word and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gina, what are you inspired by?

My inspiration is all about color perception. I am fascinated by how differently people process sensory information in forming opinions, with some more heavily influenced by numbers while others are driven by color. Through my work, I dive into the profound relationship between color perception and the connection between artist and observer. Ultimately, I intend to engage viewers in exploring their own color perceptions and the beauty that lies within our diverse ways of seeing.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Today is a great day as I just sold my DNA sculpture in London! This is my first international sale, and I’m flying high. It’s been a journey to settle into my fused glass medium. I designed jewelry and stained glass for years when my friend and sculptor Kevin Chambers(@kevinsculpture) asked for my help with a bid on a glass hotel project. I quickly realized that my medium would not work and started researching fused glass art. On a whim, I decided to order a small kiln, which arrived just before the COVID lockdown. While the world shut down and was fist-fighting over toilet paper, I was in the studio 14 hours a day going down the rabbit hole, experimenting while devouring every book and video I could find. I was thrilled! I had tired of stained glass being flat and linear, with all artists working from the same 50-year-old color palate. Fused glass is limited only by imagination. I was learning about the effect of gravity on the flow of glass, chemical reactions between the ingredients in different glass colors, glass whose color changes when fired, and building texture and illusion into my designs. Fused glass is a world where science, color, and creativity live in big gay harmony. I’m excited because there is so much to learn and explore. You can plan, keep meticulous notes and have an educated guess about what will happen in the kiln. Still, there are always surprises, so every day, I can’t wait to get to the studio and open the kiln to see what magic occurred overnight. I’m like little Ralphie on Christmas morning, racing downstairs in search of his Red Ryder.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

1. Favorite night out is Sister Louisa’s when DJ Vicki Powell is spinning. The joy on the dance floor in palpable
2. Bantam Pub in the O4W to meet friends for way too many drinks and chat with wonderfully weird owner, Tim
3. Northside Tavern for live Blues and bartenders with a heavy pour
4. Valenza for the Rosemary Foccia bread, Risotto, and a fav bartender, Michael
5. Center For The Puppetry Arts-they have Jim Henson’s work as a marketing director, puppets from Pigs in Space and The Dark Crystal!
6. Biking through the city streets and the Beltline to see the outdoor sculptures and street art.
7. Bone Garden Cantina for the best Mexican food, spicy margaritas and incredible Day of the Dead decor and artwork. Also, they don’t tolerate any crap from influencers or whiny people so that’s just a bonus!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I want to dedicate my Shoutout to my favorite person on the planet, my husband, Steve. He has an excellent eye for design and is an avid art collector. When I am designing a sculpture, I am in deeeeep. I think about it all day, go to bed thinking about it and if I’m lucky, find the answer in my dreams. Sometimes I just get stuck and need a fresh set of eyes. I can always count on Steve for an honest critique and I trust his opinion. His never-ending love and support has given me the breathing room and courage to persist in taking my art to the next level.

Website: https://www.ginaword.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginaword/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-word-4213a1124/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gina.word

Image Credits
Lauren Chambers -all photos

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