Doshworld! - Home of the Gypsy Renaissance Warrior
We recently received a new shipment from Doshworld, and this is a good opportunity to tell you a little about Dosher(sometimes styled as just Dosh). Since 1997 Dosher has played a significant role in the evolution of the glass pipe movement. Performing and competing in many events including the DFO, Pipe Classic and Master Flame Off. Dosher has published art in both Smoked Vol.I and Vol.II, and was featured in many publications, including Hot Breath, The Flow, High Times. He was mentioned on the Howard Stern show, and appeared in the film 'Degenerate Art.' Dosh has also played a quintessential role in the impact of the American Glass Pipe movement in Europe with his involvement in the “European Functional Flame Off”.
Dosher grew up in a little village nestled among the mountains, on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille within the panhandle of North Idaho. As a child of the 90's there were few distractions to keep him from adventuring in the wilderness. He stumbled into college where he studied art for a couple of years, including printmaking, textiles, oil paint, watercolor, sculpture, and mix media with a focus on ceramic. Dosh eventually withdrew from the curriculum once the studio classes were all exhausted.
By sheer chance of fate, a traveling glassblower randomly knocked on the door to the home Dosh was staying at, and asked to set up a studio in an adjacent shed. This was my first introduction to Glass. By spring of 1999, a childhood connection brought him to Bellingham, WA where he met Ezra Z, Marcel, Hamm, Scott Deppe, Chris Dawson and mamong others. This eventually led Dosher to Seattle where he worked with Jason Lee who taught him the cut and flip technique.
A self-described Gypsy Renaissance Warrior, Dosher has worked hard to balance the demands of modern living and glassmaking with his desire to live simply and focus on family, friends and good times. Dosh created a system maintain the delicate balance needed to maximize the creative flow needed to produce exquisite works of art, while constantly promoting maintaining an online presence, keeping track of inventory, updating websites, answering emails, restocking raw materials, all while keeping up-to-date on current trends. "I keep quotas, and make sure to always schedule time in to relax and enjoy life. Over the years I have had a best friend that has helped me immensely with the backend of running the business. Kendall and her husband CJ have been imperative in helping to create the website and online promotion, not to mention an enormous amount of moral support. I also have a strong network within the community and a wonderful family."
Dosher's Glass Cabins (A-frame collaboration with Joe P pictured left) are another signature of his. These intricate and complex glass sculptures are also functional glass pipes. With mouthpieces fashioned after chimneys, and chambers nestled inside the cabin, these charming cozy pieces are clearly inspired by Dosher's nomadic and rural lifestyle.
"The glass pipe movement continues to transform and evolve. One of the most unique aspects of this culture, is it came from an underground scene without rules or constructs holding back the individuals. We operated independently, then came together as a community. Ungoverned, limitless; creating glass pipe art unlike anything ever before seen in recorded human history. Incredibly rare in this time and age. It's good to reflect upon."
The ability to explore artistic endeavors solely for the art itself, and not in pursuit of money or notoriety, is what led Dosh to create one of his dream projects: The Glass Trebuchets.
"One of my dream projects that I brought to fruition is the glass trebuchet. Something I was so incredibly passionate about. Money was not an issue, it did not matter if they sold. I just simply needed to bring them into creation. This is something that is absolutely pure about art. I recommend all artists invest some of their time and energy into [pure art] every once in a while to recharge the creative well. Reinvigorating the motivation, becoming incredibly passionate about what you believe in, and not what the market dictates."
