Neon Bending, Plasma Work & Creative Journey: Alex Ubatuba's Glass Journey | Robertson Stash
The Robertson Stash Podcast: Motivational Stories from Glass Artists and Life’s True Innovators
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Show Notes
🔥 GLASS ART, LIGHT SCULPTURES & THE EVOLUTION OF A 25-YEAR CAREER 🔥 In this episode, I sit down with Alex Ubatuba - glass artist, light sculptor to discuss 25 years in the glass industry, from Operation Pipe Dreams to creating 40+ museum-quality light sculptures. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro & Welcome Alex Ubatuba 02:30 - First Glass Experience (Art Institute of Chicago, 2000) 07:15 - Building the First Living Light Sculpture 12:00 - How to Get Glass Seen Outside the Cannabis Bubble 18:00 - Meeting Eric Hagstrom & Matt Quillis (Early Mentors) 22:30 - Operation Pipe Dreams: The Day That Changed Everything 27:15 - Pivoting to Art Fairs & Craft Markets (2003-2008) 28:45 - Meeting Chris Zurich & Entering the Music Festival Scene 30:00 - First Rothbury (Now Electric Forest) - Game Changer 33:00 - Burning Man 2011: Inspiration for Large-Scale Work 35:45 - Why Europa? The Science Behind the Sculptures 40:15 - "Your Art Isn't Real" - Dealing with Skeptics 44:00 - Puffco Commercial Break 47:00 - Learning Neon Bending with Rusty Russo 51:30 - The Difference Between Neon, Plasma & LED 56:45 - Grant Garmazi's Phoenix Plasma Piece (Mind-Blowing) 57:30 - The Current State of Glass Art in 2026 01:00:00 - Crown Collection: Aquamarine Specimen Sculpture 01:02:30 - Secret Dichroic Coating Project (Can't Talk About It Yet) 01:06:30 - Simplifying: From App-Controlled to Plug-and-Play 01:09:15 - Revisiting Paperweights After 20 Years 01:13:30 - The Importance of In-Person Events vs Social Media 01:15:30 - Overcoming Struggle & Recognizing Moments of Inspiration 01:19:00 - Collective Consciousness & Plucking Ideas from the Ether 01:22:15 - Working with Flux Studio in Denver 01:23:00 - The Old Formula Isn't Working - Time to Shift Gears 01:25:00 - Exploring Metal Work: Bronze, Silver & Japanese Alloys 01:29:00 - Travel Plans: Borofest Barcelona & Glass Art Society Demo 01:30:30 - GIVEAWAY: Secret Code Word "NEON" for Puffco Device 01:32:00 - Final Thoughts & Closing 💬 ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? 👍 LIKE this video 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for weekly episodes 💬 COMMENT your biggest takeaway 📤 SHARE with someone who needs to hear this Your support helps us bring more incredible artists and stories to The Robertson Stash!