Thomas Fuchs Creative Collections and P & G's The Children's Safe Drinking Water Initiative

When I read this description on Thomas' Biography and saw his neo-classical works I knew that this is a designer that  I had to feature at The Arts by Karena! 

"Art—in all of its infinite forms—is the catalyst for what Thomas Fuchs does. He’s a furniture designer, creator of stunning Venetian glass, an avid painter…and so much more. Art—is his passion. And that passion passes on through his work." 

Please enjoy our conversation and getting to know more about Thomas .

1)     Thomas, did you know from an early age that you were interested in being creative and the arts?  

        It was never a conscious thought.  I wish it was because then I could have stopped it and became a lawyer or banker.   Only kidding, I knew there was something in me pulling me but never put a name or function to it, I just always needed to create.

The fabulous Bollicine Chandelier

2) Would you tell our readers a bit about your background leading up to Thomas Fuchs Creative and Otium, your Lighting and Accessories Company? 

I was very fortunate to attend the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C. as well as the Art Student League and the National Academy of Design in New York City.

During my studies, I interned at C. G. Sloan, an auction house in Washington D.C., (this opportunity is an incredible education for a designer) after my graduation they hired me full time in the furniture department.  From there I went onto join Butterfield and Butterfield in San Francisco as an appraiser. After a few years, one of my client asked if I would move to LA to create a line of furniture, which I did.  I spent a few years in in Los Angeles but I got homesick for NYC. 

Lucky for me this happen to coincide with John Hutton, the Creative Director of Donghia requesting me to move back to New York and work with him.  Once back, John suggested we start working in glass, so they sent me to Italy where I worked closely with the factories to create our first collection.  When Donghia was eventually sold, I thought it would be a good time to leave and start my own lighting company, Otium.  That was a little over 10 years ago.   

The Disco Volante Candle Holder, Murano glass and 24 carat Gold Leaf 

3) Is travel one of your passions; I understand you spend a lot of time in Murano, Italy to oversee the art glass production. Where else do your travels take you?  

Travel is a big part of my life, both personally and professionally.  I always seem to fit factory visits in anywhere I go in the world especially if there is a glass factory within a 100 miles to where I am.  Being in a factory and working with the artisans is one of the best ways to learn about a culture, its beliefs, work mentality, etc.  My partner and I just returned from Africa which I love, I have been there a few times, in fact we visited 3 glass factories there, as well as the game parks and we “adopted” a couple of elephants in the sense that we made a donation to the game park.

The Lion Chandelier

4)   What inspired the new Butterfly Barware Collection which is making its debut at Saks Fifth Avenue this fall?  

I love the artistry of the precious and semi precious stone inlay done in India.  I thought a butterfly wing would lend itself to this craftsmanship.  I also tried to make the collection a little dark in spirit in that a butterfly spends so much time in the process of becoming a butterfly and then is only one for a short while.  But it is hard for people to see a butterfly as a dark subject matter.

The Butterfly Collection debuting at Saks Fifth Avenue this Fall

5) Who are some other artists and designers that you admire?  

Albert Hadley was not only a visionary I admired, I was also able to develop a friendship with him from a very early age.  I also love the kinetic energy a Calder sculpture creates and the realness of the texture Giacometti used in his work.   There are many, many more inspirations as well.

6) I was very excited to hear about your Foxware Glass Collection in the water wave pattern in collaboration with Proctor and Gamble.  Would you describe how this is going to benefit children in need?  When will this glassware be available to purchase and where? 

This collaboration is to benefit Proctor and Gamble's CSDW (Children's Safe Drinking Water) sustainability program. Clean water is the biggest commodity in the world. Enabling and supporting P&G's program by donation of funds through selling of these glasses will mean people will be able to get the kits to clean the water. This means women and children will not have to walk to wells daily freeing them time wise to be able to go to school.

Wave Glassware by Fuchs to benefit Children in need is in partnership with Proctor & Gamble. Every set of four glasses sold will bring $5 for the CSDW Program. Foxware is an artisanal home goods company  owned by Fuchs and creative collaborator Michou Mahtani. 

This special designed glassware will be available in Spring of 2015. http://foxware-nyc.com  Please visit at that time and make a purchase to assist in this great endeavor.

The Glassware Thomas created for P&G

Thomas at the Hotshop (Glassmakers Studio)

Fuchs first approached Proctor & Gamble about their Children's Safe Drinking Water Initiative after  seeing how a small packet of powder developed by P & G scientists  could transform even the dirtiest drinking water into pure water within minutes. It removes parasites and arsenic, while destroying common waterborne bacteria  and viruses.

Please do take some time to peruse Thomas's websites, Otium and Thomas Fuchs Creative. Enlarge the images so that you can see the incredible details of his works.

Much appreciation to Gwen Toline of GHT Communications for sharing this information about Thomas Fuchs and his artistry.

Thank you to my many friends and Followers who support The Arts!

xoxo

Karena 

The Arts by Karena


Please leave a comment as they make my day!
Sign up for my weekly posts by email to stay up to date on the latest features!

Thomas Fuchs Creative Collections and P & G's The Children's Safe Drinking Water Initiative

When I read this description on Thomas' Biography and saw his neo-classical works I knew that this is a designer, that  I had to feature at The Arts by Karena! 

"Art—in all of its infinite forms—is the catalyst for what Thomas Fuchs does. He’s a furniture designer, creator of stunning Venetian glass, an avid painter…and so much more. Art—is his passion. And that passion passes on through his work." 

Please enjoy our conversation and getting to know more about Thomas .

1)     Thomas, did you know from an early age that you were interested in being creative and the arts?  

        It was never a conscious thought.  I wish it was because then I could have stopped it and became a lawyer or banker.   Only kidding, I knew there was something in me pulling me but never put a name or function to it, I just always needed to create.

The fabulous Bollicine Chandelier

2) Would you tell our readers a bit about your background leading up to Thomas Fuchs Creative and Otium, your Lighting and Accessories Company? 

I was very fortunate to attend the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C. as well as the Art Student League and the National Academy of Design in New York City.

During my studies, I interned at C. G. Sloan, an auction house in Washington D.C., (this opportunity is an incredible education for a designer) after my graduation they hired me full time in the furniture department.  From there I went onto join Butterfield and Butterfield in San Francisco as an appraiser. After a few years, one of my client asked if I would move to LA to create a line of furniture, which I did.  I spent a few years in in Los Angeles but I got homesick for NYC. 

Lucky for me this happen to coincide with John Hutton, the Creative Director of Donghia requesting me to move back to New York and work with him.  Once back, John suggested we start working in glass, so they sent me to Italy where I worked closely with the factories to create our first collection.  When Donghia was eventually sold, I thought it would be a good time to leave and start my own lighting company, Otium.  That was a little over 10 years ago.   

The Disco Volante Candle Holder, Murano glass and 24 carat Gold Leaf 

3) Is travel one of your passions; I understand you spend a lot of time in Murano, Italy to oversee the art glass production. Where else do your travels take you?  

Travel is a big part of my life, both personally and professionally.  I always seem to fit factory visits in anywhere I go in the world especially if there is a glass factory within a 100 miles to where I am.  Being in a factory and working with the artisans is one of the best ways to learn about a culture, its beliefs, work mentality, etc.  My partner and I just returned from Africa which I love, I have been there a few times, in fact we visited 3 glass factories there, as well as the game parks and we “adopted” a couple of elephants in the sense that we made a donation to the game park.

The Lion Chandelier

4)   What inspired the new Butterfly Barware Collection which is making its debut at Saks Fifth Avenue this fall?  

I love the artistry of the precious and semi precious stone inlay done in India.  I thought a butterfly wing would lend itself to this craftsmanship.  I also tried to make the collection a little dark in spirit in that a butterfly spends so much time in the process of becoming a butterfly and then is only one for a short while.  But it is hard for people to see a butterfly as a dark subject matter.

The Butterfly Collection debuting at Saks Fifth Avenue this Fall

5) Who are some other artists and designers that you admire?  

Albert Hadley was not only a visionary I admired, I was also able to develop a friendship with him from a very early age.  I also love the kinetic energy a Calder sculpture creates and the realness of the texture Giacometti used in his work.   There are many, many more inspirations as well.

6) I was very excited to hear about your Foxware Glass Collection in the water wave pattern in collaboration with Proctor and Gamble.  Would you describe how this is going to benefit children in need?  When will this glassware be available to purchase and where? 

This collaboration is to benefit Proctor and Gamble's CSDW (Children's Safe Drinking Water) sustainability program. Clean water is the biggest commodity in the world. Enabling and supporting P&G's program by donation of funds through selling of these glasses will mean people will be able to get the kits to clean the water. This means women and children will not have to walk to wells daily freeing them time wise to be able to go to school.

Wave Glassware by Fuchs to benefit Children in need is in partnership with Proctor & Gamble. Every set of four glasses sold will bring $5 for the CSDW Program. Foxware is an artisanal home goods company  owned by Fuchs and creative collaborator Michou Mahtani. 

This special designed glassware will be available in November 2014 at http://foxware-nyc.com  Please visit and make a purchase to assist in this great endeavor.

Thomas at the Hotshop (Glassmakers Studio)

Fuchs first approached Proctor & Gamble about their Children's Safe Drinking Water Initiative after  seeing how a small packet of powder developed by P & G scientists  could transform even the dirtiest drinking water into pure water within minutes. It removes parasites and arsenic, while destroying common waterborne bacteria  and viruses.

Please do take some time to peruse Thomas's websites, Otium and Thomas Fuchs Creative. Enlarge the images so that you can see the incredible details of his works.

Much appreciation to Gwen Toline of GHT Communications for sharing this information about Thomas Fuchs and his artistry.

Thank you to my many friends and Followers who support The Arts!

xoxo

Karena 

The Arts by Karena


Please leave a comment as they make my day!
Sign up for my weekly posts by email to stay up to date on the latest features!

Glamorous Retreats by Jan Showers and the 15th Anniversary of The Jan Shower's Collection

 Please enjoy this feature and interview with the uber talented, award winning  Interior Designer, Jan Showers! This is her second widely acclaimed book after Glamorous Rooms, Glamorous Retreats! 

1. Jan, would you tell our readers when you became interested in Interior Design and what sparked that decision? 

MY MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER LOVED IT AND I WAS INTERESTED IN IT FROM THE TIME I COULD LOOK AT MY MOTHER'S HOUSE BEAUTIFULS!

2. How would you describe your style of décor; your special look?  

UNDERSTATED LUXURY AND GLAMOUR, AND ALWAYS COMFORTABLE AND INVITING.  IT IS TRADITIONAL WITH A MODERN EDGE.

3. I have noticed how much you use art glass and Murano glass lamps quite often. 

How important to you is it to have fine art as a focal point when designing a home? 

IT CAN MAKE OR BREAK EVERYTHING!  I LOVE GOOD ART AND THINK IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS THE FOCAL POINT OF MOST ROOMS.

A glorious blue Murano Glass Lamp

4. What are the things that inspire you; where do your ideas spring from when pulling a concept together? 

ALL OVER THE PLACE!  TRAVEL---I JUST RETURNED FROM PARIS AND AM SO INSPIRED BY THE COLORS OF THE TREES ALONG THE SEINE---WE TOOK AN EARLY EVENING CRUISE ON THE SEINE AND THE TREES WERE SIMPLY MAGNIFICENT---THE GREENS WERE STUNNING AGAINST THE BLUE SKY.  I SUPPOSE COLOR ATTRACTS AND INSPIRES ME MORE THAN ALMOST 

The Claudette Bench

5. When you are on an antiques buying trip to Europe you probably go with a list of wants; however do you also bring back items that just may be perfect for a future project? 

 YES, I ALWAYS HAVE A LIST FOR SPECIFIC CLIENTS' NEEDS, BUT SINCE I HAVE A 6,000 SQ. FT. SHOWROOM IN THE DALLAS DESIGN CENTER, I BUY THINGS FOR IT THAT WILL WORK ON MANY PROJECTS, NOT JUST FOR MY CLIENTS BUT FOR MY DESIGNER CUSTOMERS AND THEIR CLIENTS.

Adore the lines of this Turquoise Lamp!

The Classic Harrison Coffee Table

6. Jan, congratulations on the 15 Year Anniversary of your fine Furnishings Line, The Jan Shower’s Collection! What are a few of your very favorite designs? I know I adore The Sabine tables; however I could list at least a dozen of your gorgeous pieces!  

WE ACTUALLY SELECTED OUR FAVORITE AND MOST ICONIC 15 DESIGNS---A FEW OF THEM ARE:  THE HARRISON COFFEE TABLE, THE #4 TURQUOISE LAMP, THE CLAUDETTE BENCH, THE DANIELE TETE A TETE AND THE VILLA SOFA

The elegant Danielle Tete a Tete

The Coquille Sconce!

7. What words of wisdom do you have for the beginning Interior Designer, Jan?  

HAVE A PASSION FOR DESIGN AND BE UNDERSTANDING WITH YOUR CLIENTS---ALWAYS REMEMBER, IT'S THEIR HOME, NOT YOURS, BUT YOU OWE IT TO THEM TO GIVE THEM YOUR BEST ADVICE BASED ON YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE---THAT IS WHY THEY HIRED YOU!

Thank you so much, Jan,  for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us today!

The beautiful and oh so talented designer, Jan Showers!

Thank you to Jan Showers for the copy of her wonderful book Glamorous Retreats.

 The images are courtesy of Harry Abrams, photography by Jeff McNamara


You may purchase Jan's Books to add to your library at Amazon
Jan's website Jan Showers Interior Design
Jan's Collection is at Jan Showers.com 

Thank you to my friends and followers who support The Arts!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena