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Artist Biography
Joshua Michael Poll
Joshua is a self-taught artist with 12 years experience in all facets of glass art, mosaic, casting, furnace glassblowing, and flameworking. The first steps of Josh’s journey started in Joliet, Illinois at Joliet Junior College. It was here he melted glass for the first time, and became hooked! The possibilities are endless, he thought. Starting out in his parent’s basement he set up a small studio where he experimented with the new substance. He became his own mentor. Music was the catalyst - jazz, soul, rock & roll, world beat, all of it; “without music there’s no flow, each song brings a different emotion.” His family’s history of study in Geology and Archeology has brought Josh to a new level of understanding of his medium, borosilicate glass.
In August of 1998 Josh relocated to Tampa, Florida. In March of 2001, looking for new inspiration, he attended a workshop in Melbourne, Florida. Robert Mickelsen’s work had always intrigued him, so now was a chance to learn from the renowned artist. While attending, Josh met, among others, David Walker. David was Mickelsen’s studio assistant. In March of 2002 Josh attended another workshop of Mickelsen’s. This time it was a figurative class with a live model. This was the class that sent him over the edge, as it gave him a whole new outlook of all sculptural work. Very soon after, Josh and Dave combined forces to form Zen Glass Studio and Gallery.
Josh’s styles include, but are not limited to: Tiki, Botanical, African, Erotica, and Far East. Goblets, jewelry, vessels and figures are some of the pieces Josh incorporates into glass. “ I am striving to translate age-old ideas into contemporary glass sculptures, to push the envelope in creating ground-breaking art that speaks volumes. I thrive upon forcing movement out of a solid rigid form.”
Josh draws his inspiration from many different sources. Here are a sampling of the glass artists who have had an impact: William Morris, Luccio Bubacco, Milon Townsed, Lauren Stump, Paul Stankard, Joshua Simpson, Lino and Pino (Tagliapietra and Signoretto). Whether dug up and centuries old or recently conceived, Josh’s unique style and technique is ever expanding.
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