Kirk Casey, artist, designer and proprietor of ENSO ART GLASS LLC, is a Puget Sound glass artist specializing in exclusive Pacific Northwest (PNW) handcrafted kiln fired fused art glass.
Fused art glass can be simplistically described as the melting of sheet glass, rods and frit (crushed glass) to create new colors, designs and images into beautiful 2- and 3-dimensional opaque and transparent forms.
Kirk creates his custom art glass by incorporating themes inspired from living both on the island of Hawaii and in the Pacific Northwest. Honoring images of flora and fauna found in the natural world such as close up images of AHI Eyes (yellowfin tuna) and Salmon Redds (salmon egg nests) are just two examples pulled from past and present.
Additionally, Kirk experiments with the chemical reactivity of glass to create uniquely colored hues, 'ghosting' (producing echoes of color), and textures. Working with the varied chemical properties of glass is often an attempt to control the 'not fully controllable'. Kirk often describes the chemical interaction of glass as '...often producing a balance of frustration, humor, and awe-inspiring results.' Kirk's art utilizes materials made in the USA and various metallic media to create individual, personal, and 'one of a kind' Pacific Northwest fused glass art.
If you're on the quest for distinctive and exclusive Pacific Northwest fused glass art, Kirk creates residential, commercial and commission pieces from affordable to extraordinary. We welcome the opportunity to provide you an already completed piece, or to work in collaboration with our clients and interior designers to make your vision a reality.
EDUCATION/BACKGROUND
Enso Art Glass LLC now benefits from Kirk’s design school training at the College of Creative Studies in Detroit, MI specializing in commercial photography and blown glass. More recently, Kirk was the Founder and Chief Fabricator for Terrasteel Furniture Design LLC of Bend, Oregon where custom welded and non-endangered exotic hardwood furniture comes to life. (https://terrasteeldesign.com/)