John R. Smith

John R. Smith received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida Atlantic University in 1978. He worked primarily as a free lance wash oil artist and lost wax jewelry artist from 1967 until he discovered his love of glass art in 1988.

John has worked as a consultant for various stained glass studios and organizations and has instructed seminars at trade shows for the Art Glass Suppliers Association, the World Glass Craft Festivals and the Glass Craft Expo.

He has co-authored an instructional book and video on wire wrapping glass jewelry, "Hot and Wired", as well as co-authoring three stained glass pattem books, "SomeThing's Fishy", "RainForest", and "StarGazing", all in international distribution. The cover of "SomeThing's Fishy" has been featured in a book about contemporary American stained glass artists. The panel featured on the cover of "RainForest " now graces the corporate office of Uroboros Glass Company in Portland, Oregon.

His latest book, "Glass Views", includes an assortment of eleven versatile panels, as well as a collection of hurricane candle lights. John's work can be found in many private collections, churches and synagogues. He has recently expanded his glass interest and expertise into hot glass and glassblowing and has opened a studio to practice his art.

Although he spends much of his time working with glass, John's real-world job is in property management. He has been accepted for inclusion in Who's Who in the South and Southwest, enjoys the martial arts and is the proud owner of a black belt in Tae Kwon-Do.