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"Piece of the month" |
Galería Azul is an art gallery located in Cozumel, Mexico, and is the showplace for glass artist Greg Dietrich. He works with engraved blown glass to create unique lamps and night lights, key racks, cup racks, candle art, and engraved blown glass vessels. |
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As a nature lover residing on an island, fringed by a spectacular barrier reef, Greg Dietrich's work is inspired by the exotic marine life that abounds in the surrounding waters. Dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, eagle rays, thousands of tropical fish and other coral reef dwellers inhabit these Carrrbbean waters. His marine art brings these images to life in unique hand blown glass lamps. |
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You may order any work from our online showcase, but because each piece is original, please email first to ensure its current availability. The gallery also shows the works of over 20 other artists. | Huichol art   |
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Please read below about the processes invloved in Greg's work. |
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The process:
In
order to create his pieces, Greg must first blow the glass that
he is to engrave upon. This process is completed in the United
States, primarily in Seattle. During
the glassblowing process, he makes large spheres or flattened
shapes that have as many as three layers of color on the exterior
surface. Once the glass has cooled, he cuts the spheres into various
shapes and sizes. The pieces are then packed up and taken to Cozumel,
Mexico, which is where he resides.
Greg does
the engraving work in Cozumel. Sitting at an engraving lathe,
he patiently carves away at the glass using diamond wheels. Working
with the layers of color that he created during the blowing process,
he is able to make "drawings" in glass. He can get various
tones from just one color by partially removing the layer of colored
glass. Or, by completely removing a layer, he exposes the contrasting
color that lays beneath. This process is known as cameo engraving.
Greg's subject matter is the beauty which surrounds him in Cozumel and the adjoining areas of the Yucatan Peninsula. Pieces are influenced by the Mayan ruins, the vast coral reefs that surround the island, and almost any type of animal found in nature.
The pieces are mounted in a variety of bases. Metal, wood, stone, or no base at all, letting the shape of the glass support it. He also works extensively with illumination. Taking advantage of the translucency of the glass, combined with mahogany bases, he creates unique lamps that are really illuminated engravings.
