My work is divided into two main groups. As Curtiss Brock I make one-of-a-kind handblown or cast glass pieces in three different series, the Geode/Fragment series, the Stone Vessel series, and the Stone Groupings series. As CB Glass I make limited edition production handblown vessels.

Curtiss Brock
Rocks and minerals can be seen as the clock that dates the earth itself. They preserve the footprints of life's struggle and its evolution. Sedimentary rocks provided us with the necessary information to recognize and understand our planet's age and history. They are the concrete evidence of things far more powerful and enduring than we are. The pieces in the Geode/Fragment series are markings of my own personal journey and my attempt to leave behind an object of beauty and mystery much in the same way that nature does.

Every industry is directly or indirectly dependent upon our planet's mineral resources. We have grown so accustomed to this gift that many take it for granted. Man's dependence upon fossil fuels is greater than ever before. Even in a modern technological society we are facing a time when we must consider the implications of this dependence. These works represent a simple attempt to make people stop and appreciate the great power and mystery of our planet and its resources.

In the Stone Vessel series I try to create a tranquil mood through simplicity while still building tension. The exterior of the glass forms resembles stone, and the tension is created by placing saw cuts in the sides and shearing off the tops, revealing the colors and layers of the glass body. The cuts are carefully placed according to the shadows of light they cast. The cuts also seem like scars left by the hotworking and coldworking processes. They deny the traditional role of glass as containers, capable only of holding fluids. The real purpose of these pieces is visual stimulus and experience.

The Stone Groupings series is focused more on natural forms and their interdependency. My aim is not to reproduce nature, but to draw from the colors, textures and forms of nature. In these pieces I use handblown opalescent glass to create work that looks like solid stones. When light passes through them, they emit an unexpected glow that reveals their transparency.

Much art glass today relies heavily on the brilliance and sparkle of the material as the artist's final objective. I am much more interested in exploring the inherent physical properties of glass without relying solely on its seductive beauty.

CB Glass
In the mid 1990s I became interested in developing a range of limited edition handblown vessels focusing on function, simplicity and beauty, and formed CB Glass to separate this work from my one-of-a-kind pieces. Most of my one-of-a-kind work requires such an investment of time that I can't even afford to own it myself. I did not want people to have to take out a second mortgage on their house just because they fell in love with a piece of glass. This challenged me to apply my skills as both a craftsmen and designer to produce glass vessels that are more affordable while still being beautiful and unique objects.

The way light and glass interact with one another has always interested me, therefore many of my pieces change color or cast beautiful shadows when placed in direct light. I try to work directly with the interaction between light and manipulated glass that causes shadows as beautiful forms themselves.

Some of my vessels use opalescent glass, often with flakes of color like confetti falling through the air. Normally, opaque glass has a heavy and solid feeling to it. I was fascinated by the challenge of working with opal glass and still maintaining a light and airy quality.

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