Glass Artist. Instructor. Nature lover.
Everyday objects and designs influence my desire to create glass. Seeing and crafting those ideas into drawings begins the journey of morphing those designs into beautiful glass vessels and utilizing glass, whether it is clear, pastel or bold hues, gives me the opportunity to create a unique piece of art that is shared with others so that they, too, will enjoy the beauty of glass.
About Me
I was born in the small town of Clearfield, Pennsylvania in 1992. While I loved drawing and art in general, my passion for sports was always my number one priority. This lasted until my sophomore year in college when I realized that my sports were becoming more recreational rather than an actual career. After receiving my Associates in Art from Lincoln College in 2012, I then transferred to Illinois State University where I pursued a drawing career. Although transitioning from a college athlete to a normal student with a job wasn’t easy, I found a new passion in art. Glass had become an important part of my life where I could have passion and focus my energy again. In December of 2014, I graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Glass. Since then, I have helped assist Nicholas Africano and Melanie Hunter at Africano Studios in Normal, IL. More currently, I am Instructor and the Studio Coordinator at JDraper Glass in Peoria, IL.
Glass Engraving
Engraving is a technique where I use a machine called a lathe and a diamond embeded wheel to cut the glass. This lathe specifically holds the wheel and consistently spins with a water feed onto it. While the wheel is spinning, I will hold my vessel and engrave into it, taking away pieces of glass to help create a pattern on the outside of the piece. While the wheel will leave a matted look I finish each piece with finishing coat to help preserve each cut.
Job Experiences
J. Draper Glass
Studio Coordinator, Instructor, Assistant, Gallery Attendant
2015 — current
Illinois State University
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant; Glass 1: John Miller
2013-2014
Africano Studio
Studio Assistant
2014-2016
Habitat Galleries
SOFA Gallery Help Set up and Tear Down
2014
Education
Pittsburgh Glass Center, Pittsburgh PA USA
From the Furnace to the Lathe Workshop, Ethan and Amanda Stern
2022
Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood WA USA
Mapping the Surface Workshop, with Tim Edwards and Mel Douglas
2014
Illinois State University, Normal IL USA
Bachelors of Science
2014
Lincoln College, Lincoln IL USA
Associates in Art
2012
Clearfield High School, Clearfield PA USA
High School Diploma
2010
Exhibitions
SOFA Chicago
Hive Contemporary Gallery; Chicago IL
2018, 2019 & 2020
Hot CIAO V
Studios on Sheridan; Peoria IL
2018
International Student Exhibition
GAS Conference; Murano, Italy
2018
Hot C.I.A.O
Contemporary Art Center, Peoria, IL
2018
Shared Exhibition — Brandie Fislar and Jessica Ball
Studio on Sheridan; Peoria IL
2018
Gather: An ISU Alumni Glass Exhibition
Ramp-Arts Gallery, Bloomington, IL
2017
Women in Glass- Phase 1: Women in Glass
Studios of Sheridan; Main Gallery, Peoria, IL
2017
Illinois State Chicago Show
Echt Gallery, Chicago, IL
2015
Illinois State Chicago Show
Echt Gallery, Chicago, IL
2014
Awards
Illinois State University
Grant-In-Aid
2014
Friends of the Arts Grant
Materials Grant
2013
Brandie Fislar
Glass Artist. Instructor. Nature lover.
Everyday objects and designs influence my desire to create glass. Seeing and crafting those ideas into drawings begins the journey of morphing those designs into beautiful glass vessels and utilizing glass, whether it is clear, pastel or bold hues, gives me the opportunity to create a unique piece of art that is shared with others so that they, too, will enjoy the beauty of glass.
About Me
I was born in the small town of Clearfield, Pennsylvania in 1992. While I loved drawing and art in general, my passion for sports was always my number one priority. This lasted until my sophomore year in college when I realized that my sports were becoming more recreational rather than an actual career. After receiving my Associates in Art from Lincoln College in 2012, I then transferred to Illinois State University where I pursued a drawing career. Although transitioning from a college athlete to a normal student with a job wasn’t easy, I found a new passion in art. Glass had become an important part of my life where I could have passion and focus my energy again. In December of 2014, I graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Glass. Since then, I have helped assist Nicholas Africano and Melanie Hunter at Africano Studios in Normal, IL. More currently, I am Instructor and the Studio Coordinator at JDraper Glass in Peoria, IL.
Job Experiences
JDraper Glass
Studio Coordinator, Instructor, Assistant, Gallery Attendant
2015 — current
Illinois State University
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant; Glass 1: John Miller
2013-2014
Africano Studio
Studio Assistant
2014-2016
Habitat Galleries
SOFA Gallery Help Set up and Tear Down
2014
Education
Illinois State University
Bachelors of Science
2014
Lincoln College
Associates in Art
2012
Clearfield High School
High School Diploma
2010
Exhibitions
Hot CIAO V
Studios on Sheridan; Peoria IL
2018
International Student Exhibition
GAS Conference; Murano, Italy
2018
Hot C.I.A.O
Contemporary Art Center, Peoria, IL
2018
Shared Exhibition — Brandie Fislar and Jessica Ball
Studio on Sheridan; Peoria IL
2018
Gather: An ISU Alumni Glass Exhibition
Ramp-Arts Gallery, Bloomington, IL
2017
Women in Glass- Phase 1: Women in Glass
Studios of Sheridan; Main Gallery, Peoria, IL
2017
Illinois State Chicago Show
Echt Gallery, Chicago, IL
2015
Illinois State Chicago Show
Echt Gallery, Chicago, IL
2014
Awards
Illinois State University
Grant-In-Aid
2014
Friends of the Arts Grant
Materials Grant
2013