Andra Duree' Martin
www.DureeDesign.com

Andra DuRee' Martin - "The Glass Goddess"
by Christina Duane

Fusing Function and Whimsy into Gourmet Glassware

Imagine serving your guests' appetizers on a plate that appears to have sushi suspended artistically in it's handcrafted design. Or watching pizza disappear from a plate until one more piece appears to remain but alas it is just a part of the glass.

For over ten years Andra Duree' Martin has been creating imaginative designs in gourmet glassware that have been featured in museums, galleries, wineries and distinguished homes all across America. Andra's usable art reflects her personality, sense of humor and practicality, incorporating all of her gifts and passion in a way she had once only dreamed about.

Andra had spent fifteen years as a successful marketing executive when one evening after an exhausting commute home Andra was greeted by her husband Floyd who found her in tears and emotionally drained. Floyd recognized in her a desire to forge ahead in a new direction creating something that would be her own. He pledged his emotional and financial support and Andra began to explore the possibilities.

Andra had always enjoyed design, decorating, and painting and had been intrigued by glass, collecting it years before while living in Germany while in the Army. She began to take a class in stained glass and within three lessons had created huge stained glass pieces. Moving on to explore other techniques, Andra began research within the art community of Laguna Canyon and experimented with glass focusing on fusion.

Traditional processes did not inspire or challenge Andra who started sketching her unique designs and bringing them to life using powdered glass oxides such as Dichroic and other colored glass. Using a technique first created by the Mesopotamians during the Roman era, Andra had discovered her niche becoming one of only five known glass fusion artists in the Country using these methods.

Her first original design in the medium, was a plate with a pizza on it with one piece missing. With Floyd's input and support, they launched a test market entering art shows to gage the public's response. It was overwhelming as Andra's work was not only embraced, collected and raved about but recognized in the art community as something quite extraordinary.

Ten years later, Andra has found the fulfillment she had longed for, as who she is has found its expression in what she does. She and husband Floyd live in San Juan Capistrano where her work can be found in their boutique "Food For Thought" just across from the "Jewel of the Missions"

Their beautiful home is both an expression of their fun and colorful approach to art and design as well as the place that Andra completes each piece. Andra's commute is now 50 feet and 3 cats, 2 dogs and a recently rescued bird named "Dude" surround her.

© Copyright 2002 Purpose Media and Christina Duane. No unauthorized duplication without written consent.

 

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