Feature Artist – Naoko Takenouchi

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Naoko Takenouchi, "Twig Vessels," 2022

handblown glass, silver leaf with hand-engraved images, 9" x 4"

Creating hand-blown glass vessels with ethereal colors and intricate engraved designs, Naoko Takenouchi first blows the vessel in two transparent colors then etches away to reveal the bottom color. Next, she inlays the surface, front and back, with sheets of silver leaf. When the piece has cooled, she then engraves designs onto the areas covered with silver leaf. Through these pieces she conveys her sensitive interpretations of human figures, flowers, trees, animals, birds and other related images.

Naoko has worked as a glass artist since 1983, beginning at the Tama Art University, Tokyo and subsequently, studying at the highly regarded New York Experimental Glass Workshop. In 1993, and again in 1998, she was honored with scholarships to attend the world-renowned Pilchuck Glass School in Washington State.