First off how long have you been blowing glass and how did you get started?
Long story short, 10 years. Maybe longer but I wasn't melting full time and most of what i made went right into the scrap bucket. Although it's fun to see my pieces from that era, wether i find them in old boxes or in plant pots at friends homes, it always seems to make me smile. Its nice to see the progression for sure.
Back in Eugene my friends were glass blowers and i would hang in their shop on my days off from time to time. I thought glass work was amazing, impossible and all out unreal. Never even thought of doing it myself, until there was an extra torch on the bench one day and they said " Sam, its your turn, give it a try". Let's just say i haven't ever looked back since.
What are some of the influences in your glass art today?
Ahhh, great question. I'd say everything. From the 20 shades of blue in the sky to the clouds over Mt Hood. The rifts in the sandy beaches to an oily puddle in the city. Colors, Colors and more Colors. When you can hold a marble in your hand and marvel at its depth and dimension. Thats my jam. Staring into a piece and just wondering how it was made while at the same time just being flabbergasted in the moment. All the other glass blowers out there too, that constantly elevate the game and display their madd skillzz for the world to see. The old schoolers too, all the fume work from that era still stands out to this day. Gotta give a shot out to the color companies who keep pushing the envelope with the colors they crank out. They're always dropping new colors so the industry can grow as a whole. Thats what inspires me and keeps my engine runnin. Like i said everything inspires and influences me on a daily basis.
What kind of music do you like to listen to?
I listen to all types of music, especially in a typical work day. i like to start the morning off with some JGB like Jerry and Merl, then get to some jams by late morning like Phish and the Disco biscuits. Then late afternoon/evening time something faster to help push through the day. So i'll play the Misfits or NoFx or whatever. John Spences Blues Explosion is fun and so is Ween. I'll listen to almost anything except country, like shitty pop country.
What are your favorite brews and buds to enjoy?
Ahhh a cold beer and a joint. I enjoy a lot of brews Portland has to offer. My favorite breweries are Breakside, Gigantic, Pfriem, Ruse is another goodie i just found. The list could go on for a while so ill leave it there but from outa state i've been digging this Revision brewery, they got mad skils...
As for the flower, im a Gorilla Glue guy. So stinky and tasty too!! Ive always been a fan of old school Willies Wonders and Trinity too, not the nor cal trinity either. Um this new one too, GMO ( garlic, mushroom and onion) has been pretty amazing lately. Also this one strain called Tree of Life is pretty righteous as well
How do you like living in Portland? How does it compare with other places you have lived?
Portland is great, its a large city with a small town fee.l love all the different neighborhoods and how they're so different from one another yet so similar in other ways. Its way more lively here in Portland than Eugene. Theres more shows, more celebrations/street fairs, way more spots to eat/drink and more disc golf here in the Rip City than anywhere i've ever lived. Although the traffic can be brutal and its not as bike friendly as Eugene. I feel like Portland is like seven Eugenes crammed into a city.
What are some of your past times or places to visit here in Oregon?
My most favorite place to be is anywhere along the Mckenzie River. I would get out there anytime i had a chance. The Three Sisters Wilderness is out that way, so is Black Butte, Broken Top and all the others like Mt Jefferson and Washington too. Hood is great, i just have'nt explored it as much as the Mckenzie Valley. Im also a Disc Golf weekend warrior and i enjoy exploring the streets of PDX too. You never know what you'll see when you explore Portland on foot. From the beautiful homes to the abandoned buildings to the buildings that still operate, i feel like its a great way to go to know the city for sure!
Where can people find your glass art?
All over Portland from Mellow Mood on Hawthorne to Pypes Palace on Killingsworth. NVS on Woodstock and out in Beaverton at their other location. Some dispensaries too, like The Kings of Canna out in the NE somewhere. They have always loved my work there, and its the best dispensary i know of in the city, very pro. Another one in Wood Village as well called NW Compassion Medical Center has a ton of my work. This place is the shit, right next to a bakery and a mini mart. Its a smaller shop but they've got everything you could ever want or need.
Final question: Is Cannabis Good?
Umm, yes, shit yea, oh and shit the fuck yea!!! Cannabis is beyond good, it's a life saving plant. I feel like they'er just now starting to scratch the surface on the healing powers of cannabis. I know personally how effective it can be. Long story short, i had some back pain that would not go away after a month of having pinched nerves down my leg. Three days after using RSO ( rick simpson oil) the pain was gone 100%. Not kinda gone, gone! After that i understood why big pharma would want to hide the benefits of cannabis. Although i love a good whiskey and a cold beer, i feel the world would be better if we got rid of alcohol and replaced it with the Chronic Smoke, Haha Cheers y'all!!!
Check out Sam’s art work at FoPo Glass: https://www.etsy.com/people/FoPoGlass