Loren Stump is a man driven with energy and passion. He is self-taught in the complex art of glass working. Those of us in the medium who have been fortunate enough to take instruction from Loren can attest to his generous nature, high level of energy and incredible gifts in the arts of glass.
Loren is the artist who taught me the intricate art of murrini. I've also watched entranced as he constructed beautiful sculpture and paperweights. He is a true master at forming this constant liquid medium into interesting, unique and truly beautiful art. Making the process look as easy as breathing, he is able to watch his students attempt a technique and inform them specifically how to achieve their desired results. This makes him an incredibly valuable teacher, master, artistic hero.
He is patient and sharing in his teaching. His classes are usually full a year ahead of time. I waited two years for the last class I took from him. It was probably a good thing because it took me nearly that long to save enough money and vacation time for the week-long class. If you enroll in one of his classes, the schedule will say something like 9-5 with a lunch break. Count on 8:30 to midnight or later. Loren definately gives you your money's worth. I don't know why I tend to choose highly energetic artists as my artistic heros, but Loren may be the most energetic of them all.
In addition to teaching and beadwork, he's designed some incredible paperweights and sculpture that are incomparable in the world of glass artistry. If you love glass art and do not know who Loren is, then it's high time you did. Do yourself a very large favor, learn his name. If you look up Loren on the internet, you will get in excess of 18,000 hits.
The best thing to do is the go to his website for a look a Stumpchuck Studio.
Give yourself a treat and click the link -- you're bound to enjoy what you see. When visiting his works in the "Gallery," pay particular attention to his "crystal" paperweights that contain miniature forests and gardens inside them. The amount of work that goes into something like this is staggering. Take a moment to read the "About Loren" section as well. He's very interesting, kind, and just a wonderful all-around person!
Visit Loren Stump's studio Stumpchuck at www.stumpchuck.com