What Conversion started out to be for me and is what it is today is constantly changing, and that is what it’s really about. My change and growth as an artist and as a human being. Another portion of what this alias means to me is how versatile glass is as a medium. To achieve the piece I’m looking for solid glass is often changed into hollow forms and vice versa. This conversion is fascinating to me as well as many other aspects of this beautiful and often mysterious medium. A couple of motto’s that have hatched from Conversion glass that are special to me are seize the day, do it better tomorrow, and being a self help glass blower. I strive to share messages of positivity, personal growth, learning, and unity with our community.
My name is Gaven Boehme, I started apprenticing and working as a glass blower in the Spring of 2011. Previously I had worked with a torch as a hobby and was making little beads and sculptures here and there with soft glass. But I started working at this craft full time that Spring. I was hooked almost immediately and had stopped going to college where I had been in pursuit of a jazz performance major in music. I was very lucky to find an apprenticeship at this time with a small pipe making company where I’d be learning under a wonderful artist to make pipes out of borosilicate glass. I spent my first few months watching him, learning, and doing busy work around the shop. After a few months when I had started to learn some basics I did my best to produce good work for the shop to sell and distribute. I continued to work and learn there for about two years.
After that I left and started to pursue my own path and ability as a glass lamp worker and pushed hard to sell my work on social media and the local shops. It was a really tough run on my own at first, but it got a little easier after the first year. I have since been growing and trying to find who I am through my art and to make pieces that represent my experience on this planet, my struggles, and what I’m passionate about. I have a love for for clean craftsmanship, colorful patterns, and realistic sculpting. Sculpting is one of my favorite facets of art and it is where I truly feel I’m in sync with my purpose. I’m constantly striving to learn and better my sculptural ability and better embody what message I’m trying to send with my pieces.
More and more I’ve been trying to imbue my work with my spirit and style to align with my beliefs. Lately I’ve tried to bring to life physical representations of mental tools and objectivity that have helped me to reflect and to more fully enjoy life, live in harmony and joy, and to continue on with a growth and learning mindset. Series of work that fall into this category are my Warriors, Comfort Stones, and Comfort Gates. I’ll be making videos on my IG TV and IG @conversion_glass to better explain and connect with you on the purpose and message behind these pieces.
My Ultimate goal as a creator is to bring forth objects that inspire, uplift, and bring positive energy to those that see and come in contact with them. I hope that every piece I make goes to the right person, at the right time, and maybe brings them some joy.