Collection: Donald Carlson

Donald and his wife, Karen, work together in their studio in Oregon. While working with color, it is red that has been both challenging and rewarding. Until 2007, Donald's line of vases, bowls and lamps were the mainstay of his business. By accident, Karen brought Donald too much glass for the stem of an apple he was working on. As he pulled the stem up to cut, he saw a cherry. His whimsical groupings of cherries put fun back into the art of making glass. The cherries are bright and fresh, and they delight everyone.

Donald's work spans 6 decades. In 1966, he created one of the first private studios in the world. With years of experience, he has definitely refined the color red. Donald has consistently produced a rich vibrant red that is unique in color and elegant in shape. Without the use of molds, his work reflects well-proportioned, clean lines. Donald makes every pieces himself, with Karen's assistance, and each one is signed, dated, and recorded. For the discerning collector, it is rewarding to share in his progression of work. 

While finishing his MBA and MS, Donald took an art class. It was during these classes he discovered glass. Wanting to delve into the properties of glass and discover its mystique, he built a studio in his backyard and taught himself to blow glass. As a result, he earned an MFA in glass. After all these years, he has made more than 60,000 pieces and his work is sold in many of the finest galleries in the USA.