JUSTIN D. TURCOTTE •   PENLAND, NC

Emerging artist Justin Turcotte works in several styles exploring color and texture in his elegant glass vessels. One technique Turcotte uses is “battuto”, an Italian term, which refers to the process of grinding the exterior of the glass to create intricate, faceted designs.

Turcotte received his BA degree from Franklin Pierce University (NH) and furthered his studies at Penland School of Crafts (NC). As an emerging artist, he is just beginning to exhibit his work on the East Coast.

“I enjoy adding an organic aesthetic to my work. I often do this by using a carving wheel to create a pattern that might resemble a honeycomb or the center of a sunflower. Other times I add steel to the surface of the piece and then let it sit outside until oxidation has occurred. I create forms with the intention of using these surface techniques. I look forward to taking a piece out of the annealing oven and spending several hours developing the pattern or texture. A certain relationship is formed during these hours in the cold shop which then translates into the next piece.”