Orient & Flume Art Glass

"Glass is an amazing and magical medium like no other. The ways glass transmits and reflects light and color have fueled my passion for exploration and expression since my first gather of molten glass back in 1970. My inspiration is mostly drawn from nature. I study the details in the things that catch my eye and wonder how I can translate my impressions into glass. "

With a background in ceramics, Bruce Sillars was introduced to glassblowing in college and has never looked back. He continued his glassblowing journey in 1972 at Orient and Flume and has been creating there ever since. He is constantly looking forward to the next design. People often ask about his favorite piece, and the answer is always the newest or next creation.

Over the years, Sillars has developed torchworking techniques referred to as the California style. By painting on the hot glass using colored glass canes and a torch, he creates detailed, dimensional, and colorful designs on vases or encased in paperweights. He has also developed hot sculpting techniques that allow him to turn a gather of molten glass into an animal or a piece of fruit.

Bruce Sillars was introduced to working with molten glass in 1970 at California State University, Chico. In 1972, Bruce joined the team at Orient and Flume, one of the first entries into the studio glass movement in California. Being mostly self-taught, his training comes from discovering new tricks and techniques and collaborating with other talented artists.