Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Lawson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been a very visual person. I grew up as the artist in the classroom. I designed tshirts, posters, even new school logos. Photography and film became an outlet that I would pursue throughout high school. When it came time to look at colleges, I started looking at places like RISD but dad nixed that idea and said he’d pay for a state school and a degree the made sense. So I ended up a Texas Tech University in the fall of 1992. After 3 years of doing absolutely nothing but partying, I left school and headed to Colorado for a semester off. When I returned 6 months later, I began working in glass- the sculpture teacher had a small glass furnace and offered a course in glassblowing. The intensity of the process immediately hooked me. The challenge of getting this screaming hot, gooey material to take the forms I had envisioned harked back to my skateboarding days. Landing a trick after falling a hundred times is actually incredibly rewarding and when I started working with glass a few years later, it sparked that same primal reward system of determination and perseverance. I soon began to search out opportunities to expand my knowledge of the craft. This led me to the Texas Hill Country, where I took a job as a summer apprentice at a small studio. As luck would have it, I worked alongside a guy who had just completed a 4 year course in Italian glassmaking. There was a tried and true approach they had developed over the last 400 years which both simplified and expanded the craft all in one fell swoop. It was like discovering an ancient secret.
My new found skill set led me all the way to the Pacific Northwest studying under Italian glassmakers at the Pilchuck Glass School. When you get to work with the masters your learning curve just skyrockets. I left with the encouragement and confidence to really go after this career. After finishing college, I returned to Wimberley and continued with the glassworks as head glassmaker, where I would get the opportunity to create every form imaginable over the next 4 years. This is when I got my “chops” – something all artisans must go through – a time when you are just engulfed in it from all sides. In 2002, I went out on my own and began renting time in studios and working the fine art shows across the country, learning how to create, sell and market my artwork. This was my education in business. Within a few years, I had built my studio in Fischer and began working as an “artist for hire”, creating site-specific work for hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and universities across the country.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s never a smooth road when you decide to buck the system and go for it on your own. Early on, I realized that not only do you have to be very good at what you do but you have to be very smart about how you do it. I could’ve stayed in the Pacific Northwest and have been just another glassmaker but I realized there weren’t any Italian trained
glassmakers down here. Turned out it was a smart move to come back to Texas and dig in. My phone began to ring and opportunities began to pop up. This is how I was able to get my studio built and develop some amazing relationships. I didn’t grow up as a legacy artist, I don’t even think my parents knew any artists. They didn’t believe it was possible to create a life in the arts – it made zero sense to them. I would say, they were one of my biggest challenges, at least mentally . It was always “get a real job” or “life is going to be real hard.” Now, they sit back and say their approach “motivated” me. I call BS. I’m a parent and I get the anxiety of having a child grow up and become successful but what I’ve learned is that if a child is into something and shows passion, we must do everything we can to support that dream. I’ve watched many “wonder kids” develop into “stars” by that parenting approach. Now, don’t get me wrong, I grew up with great parents that encouraged and loved me, they just didn’t understand how to cultivate a young artist.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
As I created job after job of other peoples vision, I began to realize that this wasn’t as fulfilling as I had hoped for. I began looking at the marketplace, searching for a niche. Luxury lighting – chandeliers for mansions – jewelry for the home – this began to pull me in. I had the facility, the team, and the experience to give it a shot. I started reaching out
to colleagues in architecture and design. Soon after, I was approached with the idea for a glass antler chandelier. One year later we installed the very first edition. I now have a team of 3 glassmakers along with myself. I’ve also learned how important it is to have someone doing the sales and marketing. I have a built in expert who has really helped expand my business in ways I couldn’t have imagined through her savvy knowledge and relationships. We are nearing our 100th edition of the Crystal Antler Chandelier and its proving to be a classic heirloom piece. Sculptural lighting is the driving force these days and finding the next big hit is proving to be another challenge but it’s what keeps me motivated. One of the most rewarding aspects of this narrowed focus is the ability to continue to refine the work. Its awesome to be able to have this opportunity and get to dig into something. It’s all about gratitude and I have a ton of it!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
To continue to expand the work, the team and the dream. To collaborate with other artists I admire on chandelier collections would also be very cool. The best thing about craft is the ability to share it, to pass it on. It was shared with me and glassmaking goes back 8000 years. By having this opportunity, we are able to pass it on to the next generation. These antlers might still be made long after we’re gone!
Pricing:
- The Crystal Antler Collection starts at $4500 and goes up to $50,000
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lawsonglass.com
- Phone: 512-623-9043
- Email: CrystalAntler@gmail.com
- Instagram: @lwsnglass @jsnlwsn
Image Credit:
Group shot – Bill Albrecht
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