Tim Chilina
TIM CHILINA — "I love glass. I love the heat, the fluidity and the physical demands of blowing glass. Each piece is a new adventure and presents its own unique challenges. Blown glass is a process, and each finished piece documents its evolution." - Tim Chilina
Tim Chilina grew up in a sleepy suburb of Tacoma, Washington. After obtaining a BS in Chemistry from Oregon State Unversity in 1991, he moved to Portland, Oregon.
Inside the cavernous North Portland building, filled with searing heat and fire, Tim Chilina takes liquid glass and forms it into colorful, freeflowing, ruffle topped vases. "It's very hot, aggressive, fast and physical," Chilina says of his work. "Sometimes glass has a mind of its own. It's so temperamental."
Chilina has not always worked in such fiery surroundings. He spent a lot of time in a conservative suit and tie during his days as a chemist for Boise Cascade. An ironic twist, but when he was unexpectedly laid off he decided he did not want another job in corporate America. So, he decided to pursue his passion, creating glass vases full time. A decision he has never regretted.
Today, denim shorts replace his dress pants, protective glasses shield his eyes from the roaring heat, thermal socks cover his arms, and a blue bandanna is wrapped around his head.
Tim Chilina is an artist at work and if you ask him, "How is business?", he could definitely say, "It's red hot!"
