For A List Of The Featured Artists 2007

For a List Of The Featured Artists 2006
 

Geoffrey Vassallo, a returning artist to Art Trails has been creating blown glass art for the past 6 years. His professional career is a taxidermist. Before Geoff started working with glass, he had worked in bronze, iron, cement and wood as an artist.  Then an opportunity came to assist a professional glass blower at San Jose State University. He jumped at the change and found that he loved working with glass right away. He says, “It fit right in with my taxidermy career because in that job, I have to create animal forms of wood before stretching the skin over them.”   Geoff is a great sportsman and draws his inspiration from wild life. 

Geoff is a single dad with two small boys.  In his spare time he takes them fishing.  He also is a White Water Rafting Guide during the summer.  This gives him time to be out doors where he enjoys nature. 

Geoff creates, in addition to fish, vessels, shells, insects and crustaceans.  He says, “This is a two person job.  One person hands the artist the glass, while the artwork is being created, and the other working with the fire.  It is a delicate process and too often the glass breaks or collapses before the finished piece is complete.”  Geoff’s gorgeous work can be seen at a Mariposa location along the trail and is a must for everyone to see.