Neon Bending, Plasma Work & Creative Journey: Alex Ubatuba’s Glass Journey | Robertson Stash | Season 6, Episode 2
Guests: Alex Ubatuba
Episode Highlights:
🔥 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!
This episode is powered by WNC and Puffco. A special thanks to WNC for providing the fresh-pressed cold cure live rosin for the episode. You can get 25% off your order with code STASH25. SPONSORS:
This episode is brought to you by:
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About Matt Robertson
Matt Robertson is a visionary artist who has made a significant mark in the glass art world with his unique matte-finished caricature sculptures, each reflecting pivotal moments from his life. His playful spirit shines through in his whimsical glass animal sculptures, often depicted in humorous scenarios that embody his vibrant personality. Inspired by creatures like giraffes, Robertson is captivated by the challenges of working with glass, a delicate medium that demands intense focus and energy, which he channels into his art. Each piece captures a dynamic energy, freezing it in time and offering a glimpse into his imaginative universe. After discovering his passion for glassblowing at Sheridan College in Ontario, he honed his craft in Eugene, Oregon, before returning to Canada to co-founded the Edy Roy Glass Gallery, a pioneering space that merges high art with functional glass pipes. Now based in Evergreen, Colorado, Robertson continues to evolve as a glass artist while hosting "The Robertson Stash" podcast and showcasing his work in galleries worldwide, all while advocating for contemporary glass art and its vibrant possibilities.
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