Oregon Arts Alliance: Interview with Teri Sokoloff of Sokoloff Glass

"Joy" by Teri Sokoloff

Detail of "Joy"

*Where are you from originally?
Oahu, Hawaii, I have an independent mother who felt life would be better for us on the islands. She was right!

*I hear you live in Brownsville now.
I live a bit north of Sweet Home a place we call Frog Hollow for the evenings we are serenaded by these wonderful creatures.

*What is life like there?
Very peaceful, the friendships I’ve made are wonderful, sunrises & sunsets incredible, topped with the evening songs by the creatures of Frog Hollow.

*What first got you interested in glass?
On the beach in my youth collecting tumbled glass, I was always intrigued by the soft colors as the light pierced the glass. After taking a stained glass class I began working with a contractor fabricating windows for custom homes using my own designs. In the late 80’s I took a fused glass workshop and started incorporating fused glass elements into my stained glass windows.

* Was that the first medium you started with or did you experiment with others prior? I have always dabbled in something creative though nothing serious until I worked with glass.

*Could you describe your process?
It all depends what I want to achieve. I use a variety of tools and techniques.

*How is your approach to functional items, such as your wall lights, vs free form items different?
With functional items I first work on the mechanics. Working with glass is and has been very spontaneous for me. I usually don’t draw out a design unless I’m working with a client.

*Where did you learn your technique?
W, D & E: working, developing and experimenting in my studio.

*Did you have formal glass training?
I studied glass blowing at California State University San Bernardino & San Bernardino Valley College. Once I realized the expense of having a furnace in my studio I started focusing on kiln-formed glass and torch working.

*How have you evolved as an artist?
I rely more on my imagination and skill to drive my work into new directions.

*Who/what are your inspirations?
Everything and anything around me even the people in my life, it always amazes me how something or someone can trigger an idea.

*Has being a member of Oregon Arts Alliance helped you?
Yes.

*How so?
OAA has helped East Linn Artists (ELA) which has helped me by offering classes in East Linn County and giving us advice to the direction of our art group.

*What are your plans for the future, either personally or as an artist?
As an artist I have a few new ideas I’d like to focus on. Personally I would like to spend more time in my garden, the orchard and enjoying what life has to offer.