Blowing Glass with Nathan Lukas
“Life beats down and crushes the soul
and art reminds you that you have one.”
From ceramics and sculpture to sketches and oil paintings, art takes many forms. It can also create an expressive outlet for people to pour themselves into, keeping them away from harmful things and situations in life.
Nathan Lukas is well-versed in art intervention.
Lukas said his affinity for art began in high school, where he began a basic art course. However, four-six weeks later, he was expelled from the high school and sent to an alternative school. Lukas said his art became his priority at the time.
“The teacher didn’t care what we did, as long as it wasn’t out of line or violent,” said Lukas.
While the alternative school was less than desirable, Lukas said the bright side was that he didn’t have to take the standard courses, like math and science, and instead could focus on his art. Lukas said that he kept to himself and poured himself into his artwork, drawing eight hours a day.
When Lukas returned to the main high school, leaving the alternative school setting, Lukas said his art teacher was impressed with the art in his sketchbook and brought him up to the AP art classes his first full semester of high school. Lukas stayed in the AP section for the rest of his high school career.
“I never took any of the exams,” said Lukas. “I didn’t care about getting the credit, I just wanted to use the art supplies.”
Lukas said after taking the course multiple times, the instructor no longer gave Lukas assignments and instead, allowed him to help teach other art students.
That position cemented Lukas’ passion for teaching art.
Sculpting Honey
A field trip to a Craft Center in Smithville, Tennessee, would introduce Lukas to an art form that would become his future career aspiration. A beginner’s lampworking course was offered at the end of his freshman year. Lukas took the course.
“It just got me super fired up,” said Lukas.
While other students were making beads, Lukas decided to make pendants. The instructor of the course was impressed, and Lukas and another student were photographed and included in the local newspaper.
“The only thing I can really compare it to is like trying to sculpt honey.” said Lukas.
Road Blocks and Setbacks
Lukas is candid about his past, his addiction and demons.
“I was homeless for about a year and a bunch of crazy stuff happened,” said Lukas. “I did a lot of bad things, a lot of bad things happened to me.”
Through it all, Lukas’ artistic abilities remained a constant in his life.
“Whenever you’re doing bad things, you meet bad people and you’re selling bad activities, whereas this (Lukas’ art), is something wholesome,” said Lukas.
New Ambitions
Lukas has goals to open a glassblowing studio and hold small workshops on the art craft.
“I don’t necessarily want to do anything big,” said Lukas. “I just want to make enough to get by, and you know maybe go on vacation every once in a while.”
Lukas has bought most of the supplies, though admits he is waiting to make the last-minute needed purchases after he acquires clients and studio space.
His girlfriend, Amy Briggs, has been taking steps to help Lukas. Recently designing business cards for Lukas. Briggs said Lukas’ story is inspiring.
“I just find it inspiring all the work that he’s done and all the growth that you’ve been through. You didn’t just let it eat you up,” Briggs said, while holding Lukas’ hand. “You know, you were just like, ‘I’m going to devote myself to my art and just not let life tear you apart like that. ’’
Source List:
Nathan Lukas- Main Source- Interviewed on Friday, Nov. 16
Amy Briggs- Supplementary Source- Interviewed on Friday, Nov. 16
Quote from http://www.notable-quotes.com/a/art_quotes.html
All Images were taken by Briggs. Since artwork is not local, pictures were used.
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Meet Caitlin
Caitlin is a storyteller and photographer currently based in the coastal city of Wilmington, N.C.
A self-confessed romantic, she is a firm believer that there is good in the world.
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