Douglas Auer

Art Brokerage: Douglas Auer American Glass Artist: While pursuing his degree at KU, he worked in the studio, but he craved more. Transferring to Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, Doug continued his glasswork and earned a degree in industrial/product design. After graduation, he taught glass blowing at Washington University, where he met McKelvey. The two conceptualized Third Degree Glass factory as a place for artists to come together and produce stunning works of art. Glass allows Doug the ability to manipulate the thickness, depth and shape, creating virtually anything he can dream up. But glass blowing isn't as simple as it seems. The art form requires a certain skill and technique. With just one shot each time you begin a piece, getting to Doug's skill level requires a lot of trial and error. Describing his style as simple and modern, Doug prefers clean lines and shapes. When he has conceptualized his vision for a piece, he heads to his work area. Starting at the crucible, Doug heats the tip of the blowpipe. When the pipe is hot, he dips it into clear molten glass and then moves to the marver, a smooth surface for working. Doug works the glass on the marver to give it a cylindrical shape. Keeping the glass in constant motion, he then heats the glass in the glory hole, a furnace used to reheat a piece in between steps of working with it. Doug's work, as well as the finished pieces of Third Degree Glass Factory artists, are on display and available for purchase at Third Degree Glass Factory. Third Degree provides a place for artists to pool resources, make their artwork and sell to an audience. Glass artists don't just blow glass at Third Degree. They also offer kiln working, flat glass pieces made by fusing glass pieces in a kiln, and flame working, using a gas fueled torch to melt rods and tubes of clear and colored glass to create small objects such as beads, pendants and jewelry. Listings wanted.