Bulldozing a Career Path

Chris’ career path reminds me of one of my favourite jokes: ‘Do you know why people make plans? To make God laugh.’ At the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in the mid ’70s, Van Zanten intended to become a professional printmaker. Two months before completing his program, he developed a violent systemic reaction to the harsh chemicals in use at the time. He was unable to complete his final portfolio or follow his chosen artistic path. So he started a heavy equipment company with his brother David. “They thought they were paying me to move dirt around, but in fact I was terra-forming, using a 50,000-pound spatula.”

On a more delicate scale, the boutique at the National Gallery of Canada invited Van Zanten to form some glass art using his 2000+ºF furnace in conjunction with the Emily Carr exhibition last summer. The pieces illustrate in colour, form and motion, how Carr has influenced his life and his art. The series is stunning, as is his new “Borealis” series.

Another major influence in his life was his father who was born in the Netherlands. John Van Zanten was a builder of many parks and golf courses in Kanata, and a potter. But more importantly, “He taught me to think for myself”. Chris’ mother is a fabric artist and his paternal grandmother was an artist who painted oils in the Renaissance Master style. “I’m an artist by default,” Chris tells me; “it’s in my blood”.

In many ways his best friend and wife, Barbara, has been the biggest impetus in his circuitous route to finding his true artistic calling. When the couple moved to a new home in Nepean in 1990, she suggested that the front hallway would benefit from the addition of a stained glass piece. Four months later Chris “went pro” as a commissioned stained glass artist. The second marriage for both, Chris acquired a three-year-old stepson who was diagnosed as suffering from Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. The couple decided that Chris would work at home to ensure that their son received the support he needed, and Chris embarked on a serious affair with glass art.

It became everlasting love as the result of a field trip with some of his stained glass students to the Corning (NY) Glass Works in 1996. “I saw a poster for Hands-On Glass Studio that said ‘Make your own ornament for $50,’ and after about thirty seconds of hot glass in hand I knew that this was what I wanted to do.”

He studied at several studios in the States, and then worked among several glassblowers in Merrickville. He also taught glassblowing in Merrickville and Bloomfield. It wasn’t until 2005 that he got to build his own “sandbox” from scratch, with the help of some really knowledgeable good friends, especially David Paterson. Chris estimates that his OSC (Old Shoe Creations) Glassworks Studio is at least 30% more energy efficient than most, due to innovations he designed and built himself. Since the main furnace runs 24 × 7 unless he is going to be out of town for more than a few days, this is an important consideration.

Fire in my Bones

Van Zanten is a fulfilled man. “Glassblowing is the culmination of my entire life — the technical, the spiritual and the interpersonal. I find a new horizon every time I look into the radiance of the 2100ºF glass furnace — it has become the fire in my bones.” His t-shirt identifies him as the Master and Commander of the Balrog. He tells me, “It’s a bit like Star Trek — going where no one else has gone before. After 2,000 years of glassblowing, I’m naïve enough to think I can create something mystical.” And he does.

The only thing Chris likes better than creating hot glass art is sharing his passion for it. He welcomes visits by seniors, home-schooled kids, and tourists. He offers classes to anyone adventurous enough to work with molten glass at the furnace/Glory Hole/torch, and then cool it by placing it in the annealer/kiln that is only 1000ºF. His website is a marvelous place to see what he makes, and how he does it. There is a brief video that shows Chris creating a footed bowl, but it’s not the same as being there! For that exciting experience, you can sign up to make your own paperweight or friendship ball.

He also offers classes in cold (stained) glass and corporate team-building workshops. Commissions are always welcome.

To celebrate the opening of the new location of the 3 Yellow Tulips Art Shoppe at 2518 County Rd. 29N in Pakenham, Chris presented the owners with a very appropriate stained glass component for their new sign. Both his architectural and art works are on display there and at The Pakenham General Store, 2425 County Road 29, at Riverguild Fine Crafts (51 Gore St. E, Perth), at The Gallery Gift Shop (150 John St., Arnprior), and in galleries from Edmonton to Nova Scotia.

Going Blowing

Van Zanten will spend Thanksgiving weekend participating in the Crown and Pumpkin Studio Tour, offering frequent glassblowing demos at his delightful Pakenham location, bordering on the Waba Creek and the foaling site for Canada’s RCMP horses. November 8–12 Chris will be at the Nepean Craft Christmas Gift Sale at the Nepean Sportsplex, and Nov. 24–25 he is participating in the West Carleton Red Trillium Studio Tour.

His fun website is a great resource for information about his classes, his custom designed tools, and keeping up with Chris. The link to his Edmonton representative has many photos of his hot glass works, from Emily Carr-inspired totem vases to bird feeding nooks to gorgeous and very functional cups and glasses. You can phone him at 623–5222, but given the nature of his work, please leave a message so he can get back to you. You can also email him.

It’s a pleasure to enjoy this artist’s enormous pleasure in sharing what he loves and does so well. You’ll be sorry if you don’t cut out his Artist Trading Card at the top of this page and save it for future reference. Go blow!