As a gentle breeze wafts the scent of overhanging cedars in through the wide-open double doors of the Molten Spirit Glass Studio in Roberts Creek, artist Chris Motloch rapidly plunges and swirls a rod into a pool of molten glass and begins to make magic.

Glowing at an orange-hot 1200°C, the knob adhering to the rod begins to expand as Motloch gently blows it into shape. As the glass expands it cools, changing from orange to red – a sign that it is also losing malleability. Quickly, Motloch thrusts the rod back into the furnace to be swirled, reheated, and as quickly withdrawn. A few gentle puffs expand the globe slightly, and its rod is then shaken gently to allow the glass object’s own weight to pull it into an elongated oval. Back into the furnace again, then out for more carefully controlled, even blowing while Motloch simultaneously swirls the vase-to-be on several thicknesses of newspaper acting as an insulating pad for his un-gloved hand. The paper smokes from the heat of the glass. Back into the furnace for another dollop of glass to form a base. As it cools, the finished work is revealed as a richly textured cedar-green confection with a complimentary colour swirling through its depths. The vase is part of Molten Spirit’s product line inspired by (and designed to interpret) the natural surroundings of the Sunshine Coast.

Motloch notes that the “wet” look and fluid surface texture are among the attractions of working with “soft glass” (a pool of glass melted in a furnace). This technique offers opportunity to create a wider variety of shapes and forms than can be achieved by working with hard glass piping “on the torch,” and lends itself to the creation of abstract art glass pieces. Fulfilling a 7-year dream to have his own production studio and the creative control that goes with it, Motloch says “I finally have a shot at the glory land – exploring and growing in the glass medium.”

Motloch started as an apprentice glassblower in 1998 with Robert Held Art Glass in Vancouver, moving into production glass work at Maple Ridge’s Arte Vargas. He estimates he has blown “about 50,000 Christmas ornaments. That’s where I got my foundation skills – with the repeated handling of the glass.”

After assisting a number of prestigious glassblowers, teaching introductory students and performing demonstrations for the “Totally Amazing Glass” show at Whistler in 2001, Motloch honed his glassblowing chops in Red Deer College’s prestigious Hot Glass Program, with the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, WA, and as the assistant of some of North America’s top glass artists. Their influences can be seen in the variety of styles and techniques that define Motloch’s work. It is this mix-and-match of techniques (including incorporation of acid etching to “reduce shine”) – picked up during visits to artist studios Washington, Alberta, Australia and Mexico – that result in the Molten Spirit “Sunshine Coast” look.

In recent years, the Sunshine Coast has become a mecca for glassblowers, with at least five new studios opening in the last 3 years. Molten Spirit Glass Studio is one of only three working with soft glass, and the only one to offer one-on-one two-day workshops in soft glass technique. At present, the studio is open by appointment only; call 604.886.0357 or e-mail ludacris@dccnet.com to arrange a visit or book a workshop.

Molten Spirit Glassworks are available at Gift of the Eagle, WindSong Gallery, Art Barn, Flying Anvil, and at the Newsmall & Sterling Gallery on Granville Island.