Our newest interview is with Japanese bead and marble artist, Ayako Hattori. The first time that you see Ayako's beautiful work, you are immediately
impressed with her percise work and attention to the smallest details. Each flower and leaf seems to be growing outward from the glass. I hope that everyone
will enjoy learning more about Ayako and ask any questions that I may have overlooked.
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1. Ayako, could you please tell us a little about yourself?
I am a part-time artist, living in Nagoya City, Japan. Everyday I work with glass after my real job.
2. How long have you been working with glass?
For about 10 years, but not seriously. When I started glass, I couldn't find good tools or class. About four years ago, I got a good torch with air
pump. At that time lampwork got popular in Japan. I re-started bead making seriously.
3. How did you first start working with glass?
In Japan some companies run hobby school for many kinds of artwork. They are usually on-going class for hobby artists. I found a class of lampwork in a
school near my real job office. I got interested in it and visited the class. Many students were there. They used just very small torch. (Bunsen torch for
chemistry experiment.) But I was amazed to melt glass rods. I made small plain beads for earring. It was my first experience of glass work.
4. Do you work in any other artistic media other than glass?
I like hand made crafts made of transparent material generally. My favorite material is glass, of course. And I like paper cutting and lace making also. I
also like painting and drawing. But now I am concentrating in lampworking.
5. What is your favorite part of making glass art?
Murrini making! I think I am murrini addiction. My glass friends say I am crazy. I know murrini is just part for bead or marble. But I love making them.
The best part is planning flower murrini. When I make a flower, I search many photos of the flower on line. I look at them over and over. Then I make
diagram of the murrini and start to melt glass rods. When my plan comes true, it makes me so happy!
6. The flowers that you make in your beads and marbles are very beautiful and realistic. Do they have special meaning to you?
I like flowers. But I love scene and atmosphere with flower rather. I want to make it in my art works. I want to express not just flower, but also leaf,
cane and something around the flower, like water, grass, sky, etc.
7. Which are your favorite flowers to make?
I love many kinds of flower. I like flowers with layered petals and subtle color specially. Like peony or gerbera. Making layered petals is so interesting.
And I like to make small wild flowers or strange flowers, other artists don't make. I made edelweiss, butterbur sprout and some kinds of spring ephemeral.
I enjoyed making them so much.
8. How much research do you do to make your flowers realistic?
Google image search is very helpful. I can find many beautiful photos of many kinds of flower. I look at real flower also, if I can. But in Japan I need to make a flower before the real flower blooms. So photos are needed.
I look at them over and over. They tell me where the flower bloom, how many flowers on one cane, and shape of leaf, petal, stamen and pistil. I can't
express every details. But it is important to know the flower exactly.
9. Which do you like to make better, beads or marbles?
I like both of them. But my favorite part is murrini making. I like to decorate bead, pendant, marble or some other products with my flower murrini.
10. Approximately how long does it take you make a marble with satake glass?
Over two hours. It is hard work actually. Satake lead glass is heavier than boro or Moretti.
11. Do many people in Japan collect art glass? Which is the most popular, sculpture, beads, marbles or something else?
Yes, I think they like to get glass arts. There are many tonbodama (Japanese style glass beads) collectors. Some rich collectors like kiriko (Japanese cut
glass) or art nouveau vessels.
12. Can you please explain what tonbodama is?
It is Japanese style glass bead. But I don't think there is exact definition. My definition is glass bead made from Japanese technique. Other artists
have their own definition, I think.
13. Have you ever visited the United States before? If so, what did you like or dislike?
I visited New York, San Francisco and Chicago. I like American people. They are very friendly and accept many kinds of people. They welcome something new
from other cultures. What I like the most is that they accept my poor English. I heard many kinds of English in American big cities. I appreciate their open
attitude for other cultures and people.
14. Do you think there are any differences between American and Japanese glass artists?
I think Japanese lampwork depends on technique rather. So we start it, imitating teacher's works. In Japan on-going class is much more popular. Spending
time for practice is very important for us. But American people look they enjoy their work more. And originality is very important for them. But I think good
artists in both countries have both of technique and originality, of course.
15. Do cultural differences between American and Japanese artists show in their art?
Yes. I think so. In Japan we have long heritage of craftspersonship. In Japanese traditional craft world, technique and skill was more important than
originality. Current tombodama community is influenced by it, I think.
16. Is there any designs in glass that you haven't made yet that you would like to?
There are some flowers I want to make but I can't. I need to find some other technique for them. Maybe someday, I will try them.
17. What types of things inspire you to make better art?
Other artists' works. When I see something wonderful, I get inspired so much.
And beauty of nature makes me inspired. Beautiful flowers, leaves, small creatures, etc.
18. Are there any American glass artists whose work you enjoy?
John Kobuki is my most favorite artist. And I enjoy works of Kimberly Affleck, Loren Stump, Anakin, Ever After, etc.
19. Do you know how many pieces of your glass have been bought by people in the U.S.?
I don't know! I have sold my works for about one and a half year. Many of my products were bought by American people. And people in other countries also
purchased mine. I really appreciate my customers! Thank you so much!!
20. What do you do to relax and enjoy yourself when you're not making glass art?
I like sightseeing trip. I like old cities and traditional crafts in Japan and other countries. But I regret I don't have much time for it. I am a part-time artist and I spend most of my time for glass work.
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If you would like to see more of Ayako's outstanding glass art, please visit her website and her ebay store. You can also see more pictures of her work at Brian's collection.
