Caroline Masters

Artist Statement

In the short time I have been showing my fused (kiln) glass signature discs, tables and functional pieces in juried shows and exhibitions I have been really gratified at the very positive response and the sales of my signature discs and tables, and functional pieces. The discs and circular tables are the result of an exploration of specific concepts (e.g. Void, Calligraphy series) and of ongoing experimentation with an evolving highly sculptural and multi-layered technical process that I have been developing. (Humorously called my 'Wedding Cake' process on my website ;-)
In addition, I am also engaged in creating portraits and figurative work in glass.
I deeply enjoy creating art work that is both beautiful and fun to live with including the dramatic small tables and large serving pieces. 'Art Enhancing Lifestyle'

So glad that Woodside resident Kathy Kennedy Miller had strongly suggested that I apply to the Kings Mountain Art Fair, and I was so pleased to be juried in last year! Since I have only recently started showing and selling my work, it is wonderful to experience how much people love it and are often curious about how it is made.

Please see -
* 'How I Made This' an example of my process - https://www.carolinemasters.com/collections/206608
* Fused glass Discs, Tables, Flow, Portraits, Serving pieces - https://www.carolinemasters.com/works
* About the Artist - https://www.carolinemasters.com/about
* Juried Exhibitions and Shows - https://www.carolinemasters.com/events
* ArtsyShark Artist interview spring 2025 - https://www.artsyshark.com/2025/05/06/featured-artist-caroline-masters/
* Painterly Life Podcast interview released 1/15/2026 - https://youtu.be/eIUfk4LPHP0

I was fortunate to grow up with a designer/architect mother and an engineer/inventor father, so creativity was everywhere and all the time, and quite expected! Making/creating/designing was second nature, and the natural world was endlessly fascinating - such as exploring the shells, rocks and especially the tidepools at the beach on Cape Cod as a child.

I have been insatiably curious for as long as I can remember. And I have rarely met an artistic medium or material that I didn't want to experiment with. I love learning new processes and techniques and have always had a penchant for pushing the envelope in a variety of ways including technically, sometimes much to the consternation of workshop leaders!

And then in 2013 I encountered Bullseye glass at a local art festival and a whole new world was revealed. Portland, OR based Bullseye Glass had only recently opened a resource center in Emeryville, CA and they were giving classes in fused glass techniques (also called kiln-formed glass.) And they were hosting workshops given by some truly exceptional visiting artists as well as providing open studio access to their excellent facility. I started to take full advantage, at least as much as possible while working full-time in a non-art business profession.

Glass as a medium is extraordinarily versatile and endlessly entrancing to work with. I work a lot with transparent glasses and the interplay of light within and through the pieces. I use many forms of glass - sheet, stringer, ribbon, rod, powder, frit (crushed glass), billet, pre-fused components and then I add metals such as silver foil and copper, and even some components from the medical device industry!

Glass changes and transforms in amazing ways, often through multiple firings using the kiln and gravity to create dynamic flow and through other non-heat processes. Images of the different stages of this creative process enable an appreciation of what is happening and show (at least in part) 'How I Made This!' And please note that so much is not evident in photographs of the glass pieces, even with very professional studio shots.

On a practical note, some of the Discs can be displayed vertically in a metal stand or as a small table with a metal, wood or acrylic base as the photos indicate. In addition, the surfaces of some of the square Tables are modulated (look closely!) and they are intended to be reversible. Some of these design directions can certainly lend themselves to architectural glass projects and custom interior design applications. Happy to discuss potential projects!

Some have asked why I haven't been actively showing and selling my work before now. Briefly, in 2016 I was preparing a body of work for juried art shows and then in early 2017 my wonderful, supportive and brilliant husband Christopher became very ill and our lives changed completely overnight. While maintaining a full-time job I worked to find and employ effective treatments and keep the western medical and insurance establishments at bay. My background in the medical device industry and in consultative sales helped here a great deal. After a valiant three-year battle Christopher transitioned in June of 2020, and words cannot adequately express how much I miss him.