An Evening with
Lewis Wilson
Boro Sculpture
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Lewis C Wilson started teaching himself how to work with glass in 1972 using a handheld propane torch and sunglasses. He was an Air Force medic working in an emergency room on the night shift. All the 4mm boro stirring rods from the laboratory vanished while he was there. In October of 1973 he started to work with Miguel Bonilla at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Lewis has been a sculpture glass artist since 1972 and continues to this day to spend his time in the studio creating new work.
He will be taking us on his 50 year glass journey through stories of his adventures along the way. You can see many examples of his work on his website, as well as the Facebook Members Group page.
Lewis lives in Albuquerque , New Mexico and can be reached at LEWISWNM@AOL.COM
If you would like to check out more of his work, Lewis has posted some videos on his Facebook page, and our Facebook Members Group page of himself at the torch. Here is one on his page of making Egyptian goddess Isis.
And Dragon Members can watch Lewis on our Facebook Members page making a long boro bead.
After the Presentation Update!
(If you missed it, remember that members can watch the recorded demo on the Facebook Members’ Page, check it out! And if you aren’t a member but would like to be, visit the Membership page)
Lewis Wilson was going to show us a demonstration June 17th but there was a technical “snafu” and as it turned out, he did so much more than that. He posted demonstrations and just finished pieces for *days* on our Facebook page before his scheduled date. For all those, we are so very grateful.
Looking back at the past 50 years, Lewis gave us his history with glass. Beginning in 1972 using a Bunsen Burner and plumber’s torch to try melting glass, and how completing his time of service in the Air Force began his lifelong story with glass, Lewis began his adventure. He trained with the Aribas Brothers at Disney, and worked there for several years. Crystal Myths Videos in 1993 was his first large, successful venture, which was eventually sold to ABR Imagery.
Lewis has taught classes in boro and soft glass for years (and he told us about the classes on the horizon for this Fall). He has made glass sculptures for kings and dignitaries. He shared so many stories, all interesting and peppered with belly laughs. It was wonderful.
One of his stories was about his nickname “Dirty Looie” given to him after his mom told some stories of his younger years to some other artists. Hence the name of the bead release he developed, and later turned over to ABR. He still enjoys seeing his picture on the label! He also wrote a book involving beads, wizards, his cat and other creatures, as well as Sharon Peters and other real people like Mike & Pat Frantz.
On getting started with boro sculpture, Lewis suggested that a plastic toy be used as a model. It may be positioned to see every aspect of the form from any perspective. “Start small with a toy and go from there” – wise words of experience.
The stories that continued from there kept us all engaged – and laughing – for quite some time. We finished up with a quick tour of his studio, which included a description of how to get the incredible finish seen on one of his pieces. He said it is done using Titanium Dioxide, and described the process used to get that beautiful multicolor shine.
Thank you Lewis, for sharing your time and expertise with us!
Dragon members have access to this recorded presentation, found on our Facebook Members Group.