8x10 Glass Tray with copper patina

This Collection is the product of an unlikely collaboration. The late art professor and artist Barbara Swindell, whom I've never met, traveled to Italy as an art student in the 1970's and created a large collection of marbled papers that she carefully stored for decades in her basement studio. After her passing, an estate sale was advertised and the door to her treasure trove of works was opened to the public. I instantly fell in love with her entire body of work as she was a prolific printmaker, photographer, glass artist, illustrator, and painter. She also was a collector of obscurities which is dear to my heart. I brought home her collection of marbled papers and a large silver cup that was packed full of her accolades. Every art show, award, and grad school remark from her professors carefully collected during her lifetime. I was saddened to walk through the basement where she hid all of her artwork. I felt like this would be me at the end of my life and I at once knew that her work must live on. Here is the culmination of this idea. I named the pieces after types of soil because she chose cremation and the spreading of her ashes as her final wish. Dust to Dust. I hope you enjoy my glasswork along with the beauty of her marbled papers. I hope this brings Barbara a little bit of joy, as the spirit of this artist will surely never die and her work remains relevant.