Doug Gillis

Click to watch: Fused Glass Wall Art with Doug Gillis

Doug Gillis creates kiln-worked sculptural glass wall art by pushing the limits of the fusing process. Integrating unique materials such as metals and cottonwood leaves into his glass works, Doug achieves surprising effects. His works are ever-varied as he explores themes such as the visualization of Zen, Time, circadian rhythm, color variations and undulations of abstracted mess.

Recently Doug has begun to explore concepts around the connection to heritage fabrics by creating glass artworks based off of quilting patterns.

Doug's creations are delightful in their variety. Expressions of form, music, language, nature, design and Zen, are inherent in his body of work. His individual works can often stand alone, and yet can be strung together in endless combinations to create bigger artistic statements while fulfilling a desire to design a space. The glass is often pleasantly reflective and can add luster to any room, while integrating effortlessly with other works of art.

Notable Projects and Museum Exhibitions:

ArtsThrive Exhibition at the Albuquerque Art Museum, 2023, 2024

State of New Mexico Public Art inclusion at the University of New Mexico Hospital, Fall 2024

State of New Mexico Public Art inclusion at the San Juan Medical Center in Farmington, NM

Artist Statement:
"To create a modern vision of an ancient art form, I use a modular and contemporary approached based on the aesthetic styling of the European Bauhaus designs I studied extensively at Ohio State University. The processes and materials themselves continually inspire me to explore and exhibit art's elements: line, pattern, texture, balance, color, light, and composition. The results are the aesthetic rewards of letting Earth's elements express themselves as fine art, unconstrained by the limitations of utility and function."

Biography:

Doug Gillis was born in Akron, Ohio. Fascinated by the various applications of design, aesthetic and visual arts, he studied graphic design as well as art history, graduating with a BS in Industrial Design from Ohio State University. Before discovering his love for glass, Doug enjoyed a stimulating career as an art director in different locations globally including in Orlando, the Netherlands, and Los Angeles.