Why People Buy Art
There are many reasons people buy art. But for the collector who is passionate about art, one reason looms large. A collector always talks about the story or their “experience” of how they acquired a particular artwork. These stories range from visiting an artist’s studio to stumbling upon a hidden gallery while traveling. I watch and listen to collectors beam with emotion as they reminisce about how a particular artwork came into their lives… Sometimes never talking about the actual artwork. The artwork is important to them, but the “experience” they...
Read MoreWilliam Morris Glass Sculpture and Influence
The glass sculpture by William Morris is usually the first thought I have when asked about which contemporary glass artists do I like. This is the type of question I could easily create a large list of artists and glass work. I could populate that list with glass blowers showcasing their technical skills and talent. I could include glass artists with a wonderful sense of aesthetic. I could “comb” through photos of amazing glass sculpture. I could even create categories based on functional and non-functional works in glass… But William Morris ‘s work and approach...
Read MoreWhy Good Ideas Go Bad
Why do some good ideas go bad? All ideas start out as “good ideas”… but along the way some ideas become bad. It is easy to claim an idea as being good or bad when looking back in time. In art and in life, choices are the bits and parts of an idea as it is happening – “I think it would be a good idea to use this color because… ” or “This will be great as soon as I… ” When good ideas go bad Insecurities and realization are the cancer of ideas originally considered to be good. Sometimes even the smallest negative reaction to your idea...
Read MoreMaking Something
Making something that has the potential to strike an emotional chord with a viewer… Making something that may encourage someone to think a little deeper… Making something that draws in more than just a passing glance… That makes making something just a little bit more rewarding… and why some people become artists. -Bernard Katz photo credit: Addison...
Read MoreDependency in Art and Life
The motif of dependency in art and sculpture has long been an explored subject matter. Whether blatant or subtle, relationships depicted are concluded to have a certain dependency. Expanded dependency One could say that all art is dependent on something to validate its existence. Take away an important element and the artwork becomes void, lacking, or in need of a reason. Dependency manifests early in life Dependency begins at birth. A newborn is completely dependent on its mother for the very basic of needs. A child’s emotional dependency becomes more dominate as the physical...
Read MoreHenry Moore Influence
Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth have significantly grown as inspiration and influence on my own artwork and glass sculpture. In the first article, Inspiration in Art, I explained the complexity about inspiration. In the second article, Influence Behind My Glass Sculpture, I described the relationship between “inspiration” and “influence”. As I was becoming increasingly more interested in moving away from purely decorative vases and vessels, I was doing more drawing and sketches of forms that were less functional. My wife, Katie, said to me that my sketches reminded...
Read MoreAuthor: Bernard Katz
Bernard Katz is a contemporary art glass designer, sculptor, and creative problem solver. 
