We had the good fortune of connecting with Glenn Doell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Glenn, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.

There is an accepted theory that ‘risky’ behavior is the result of a parasitic infection. Toxoplasma Gondii is a parasite that infects mice making them act fearlessly in the face of a cat (google fearless mouse disease). The cat eats the mouse and carries on the life cycle of the parasite. Humans handling the cat become infected resulting in bolder and riskier behavior.
From surfing hurricanes, motorcycling, solo ice climbing, working on feature movies, opening a design business (now 35 years) and pursuing an art career (the most risky of all) ‘Risk’ has always played a part in all of my directions. I have always embraced the act of juggling and I believe i have an infection…

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My training in philosophy set the stage for the creative questioning. A rigorous ‘why’ has always been the launching point for my artistic exploration and it has never been easy….Carved porcelain vessels shown at the Smithsonian, Arnot, Everson, and Roberson Museums led to sculptural tableau and vignettes which led to set designs produced in NYC, DC, Fresno, and here at OSU. At the same time opening a design studio (Curtis Elliott Designs, Ltd) which focuses on the creative solution as our product offers a seamless flow to museum exhibit design, commercial set design, and architectural space design all with a national reputation.
I have never intended nor believed that i would make my living from my art, rather teaching at Wells College, lecturing at Cornell, Hamilton College, Denison Univ and opening a design studio all have allowed me to explore and ramble thru my art journeys unencumbered by commercial concerns. This doesn’t mean i don’t have gallery shows but for me they are a way to look with fresh eyes and wonder at ‘who did that work?’ and ‘what was he trying to say?’….i never remember doing it, my metric for success….Art is an addiction, another disease from which i never want a cure.
What i have realized and learned along the way is that you never say no to the opening of a door. Instead you say “Ok Glenn, lets see how you do this one!”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Franklin Park conservatory, The Columbus Museum, the Springfield Antique Mall, Hocking Hills off trails….i have spent tons of time researching via topo maps that show many hidden treasures down there…
The Starliner Diner, Erowan Thai, Lindeys Restaurant all play favorites….
Any Music venue (Natalies, Anthenaeum, Weigel Hall) all depending on who is there….and absolutely no football!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

There are two players who deserve credit in guiding my choices and effecting a gravitational change in my trajectory. Arthur Sennett the ceramics professor who when he found i was sneaking into the studio at night and trying to hide my pieces said to my friend “Who is making these pieces?….you tell him i want to see him when he comes in!” He, built like Thor, instilled the shakes in me (there was a two year waiting list to get in)….” I hear you have been sneaking in at night!?”…Me melting, “yes sir…”…..”Well you’ve been making some nice stuff and i want you to sign up….”….I graduated with degrees in both Philosophy and Ceramics….
The other is Ruth Kohler (owner of the Kohler Company). After i completed a 4 month stint as an ‘Artist in Industry’ participant she took me out to dinner and asked my impressions of my tenure there. My response was that my experience there changed my life and that “i would never touch clay again!”….That program fostered an awakening in me that opened a floodgate of ideas and exploration that far out stepped the materials in which i had been trained. She got pissed and i have spent the last 30 years showing her what i have meant.
Both Arthur and Ruth bear responsibility and credit….i will forever hold it against them.
As for books….”The Little Prince”…Antoine St. Exupery.
“The Horses Mouth”….Joyce Carey……both are always with me

Website: https://cedltd.com

Linkedin: glenn doell

Facebook: glenn doell

Image Credits
all photos have my credit

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