Alex Couture

aka. Jam Bear

I enjoy art that’s a conversation piece. I use elements like donuts and eyes to capture attention and spark memories that heighten the experience.

What draws me to glass is the freedom of expression that it offers.  It allows me to tell my story and connect with people through art and donuts that never go stale.

Currently located in Vancouver, BC

Established 2014

Background

In 2014 I studied Industrial Design at Carleton University but I wanted to be able to have more input into the designs I make. A friend had a collection of Drewski monsters and I knew right away that glass art was for me.

Being from Ottawa there wasn’t any public studios so it took a year to find Charlie LaFontaine at Funky Tube Studio and start renting torch time. That gave me plenty of time to watch tutorials on YouTube by Revere Glass, Torch Talk and Red Beard. I’m glad I did because when I met Charlie she gave me a crash course in safety then gave me a piece of glass and asked me to make something. I chose to make a 1 piece sherlock which was pretty ambitious as my first piece but I pulled it off and have to say it’s one of the coolest moments of my life. I still have that sherlock.

In 2016 I was lucky enough to take a class from Dustin Revere at Orange Glow called “Vessels of Intoxication” which was such an amazing experience after learning from his videos. That summer I went to The Great Canadian Glass Gathering in Birkin, BC and got to meet Red Beard and so many other amazing artists and I knew right away BC was my home.

In 2017 I heard Robert A. Mickelsen was teaching a class on hollow sculpting and goblet making so I had to go. That class wasn’t just glass techniques, I got to learn a lot more on how to run a glassblowing studio.

After moving to Vancouver in 2018 things started taking off. All of the sudden I was working alongside amazing artists like Kahuna, Rob Biglin, Glasea, Mimzadellic, Wicked and so many more. I was able to take cIasses on hollow form shaping from Matt Eskuche and Andrew Certo which added on to what I learned from Revere and Mickelsen. The big turning point was when I started working in the same shop as Rob Biglin. He was so supportive and motivating it’s the reason I pushed myself to make donut rigs.

Donuts quickly became my favorite things to make because of the challenge and aesthetic balance between form and function. I’ve never been happier than when making glass donuts, monsters and Star Wars pieces so lets see where it takes me next.