I am drawn to the capricious nature of glass—the way changes in texture, color and even form are dependent on the environmental factors affecting its production and fascinated by the ability to vary these factors and predict with a fair amount of accuracy how glass will react, but never knowing with absolute certainty until the piece is completed if I am correct. In fact, some of my favorite pieces are the results of happy accidents that provided learning opportunities and knowledge to replicate a new process.

A turndown in the advertising economy several years ago provided the incentive to pursue a long time love of color and glass. Several aspects of a 25 year career in the graphic arts industry provided a background rich in experiences that have benefited me as a glass artist.

As a Houston, Texas native I was introduced to the graphic arts industry practically in my own back yard. At Gulf Printing I gained a healthy respect for printers possessing the artistry of true craftsmen who took pride in putting ink on paper as they produced museum quality prints. As I trained under their supervision that commitment to the authentic replication of fine prints provided me an introduction to the intricate world of color.

While working as a production manager it was necessary to take an artist’s vision and conceptualize how it could become a reality in varying forms of everything from printed
materials to 3-D billboards. These experiences have been most helpful transferring my own ideas from sketches on paper or mental images to finished glass products.

My natural interest in the cause and effect nature of technical processes were honed through my graphic arts experiences and now provide an open mind ripe to experiment with a fascinating array of variables and their effects on a glass product.

My goal is to create pieces that reflect a joy of color and an appreciation for the limitless use of glass in a purely aesthetic form, as functional pieces and very often a happy marriage of both that glass lovers will enjoy for a lifetime.

Medium Glass
Process Fused, Combed, Slumped

All Roland Glass Studio pieces are conceived and produced in my studio. Most pieces require 3 or more kiln firings. It’s not unusual for a firing to last 8-12 hours including timed variations in the heating and cooling temperatures depending on the size, texture and form of the glass. Pieces may be left flat as display pieces or slumped into functional shapes.

Pieces may use a single type of glass (transparent or opaque sheet glass) or more likely an integration of sheet glass, dichroic glass, glass fritt, glass powder, and/or glass stringers depending on the desired effect and design.

Sheet glass is hand cut into the desired shape(s) and assembled with many additional types of glass. These pieces are kiln fused. I often employ a process known as combing when I manipulate the piece in its molten state pulling carefully placed glass colors to create unique patterns.

All edges are given special attention to allow maximum light penetration and shaped before fire polishing.

Slumped pieces require an additional firing to mold them into a desired shape.

Roland Glass Studio
Mark Roland, Artist
615 Woodland Street
Houston, Texas 77009
713-861-5733 (Home/Studio)
713-861-5701 (Fax)
713-202-2487 (Mobile)
mcroland@oplink.net