Artist Spotlight - Christie Otvos

Today's Crystal Flight Artist Spotlight is on Christie Otvos! Christie is working diligently to complete two separate mosaic designs for two sponsors. "Can You See Yourself Flying," which will consist of small cut pieces of mirror and red glass tiles adhered onto the surface of the plane has been sponsored by the Crystal City Shops. Several hundred halves of rubber bouncy balls will make up "Bounce Off" for the Crystal City Sports Pub.

About the Artist
"My art has always been about exploring my surroundings. I tend to find myself in antiques shops, scrap yards, or anyplace I can find anything old."

"While traveling to Ithaca, New York in 1997, I was introduced to the construction of stained glass. Stained glass windows have always struck me as magical and over the years that magical process has had its way with me, leading me from hobby to art. I have explored many techniques including mosaic, foil technique, sandblasting, fusing, dry plaster casting, scraffito, welding and silversmithing. I find enjoyment combining many of these techniques with my love of vintage objects and giving them new life. "

"I've always been intrigued by sense of community and how art could bring a community together. So I participated in a public mosaic art project called Art on the Block. The Marvin Gaye Park in Washington DC covered their building, address signs and sidewalks in recyclable objects. The community was involved in almost every step of the way to make this happen. To honor them, over two hundred of their names were displayed in mosaic."

"Currently I'm working with three dimensional stained glass sculpture. I love trying to take something that is normally one dimensional and adding a twist to it. I'm also exploring a new medium, plate glass. I was introduced to this medium at the Washington Glass School where I'm a teaching assistant. Please take a look at my artwork at http://www.glasstroubadour.net/."