Who are you and what do you do? Include a little about your background.
My name is Courtney Dodd and I’m a maker. Originally trained as a graphic designer and illustrator, I became a Core Fellow at Penland School of Crafts in 2006 where I built up my hand skills in the glassblowing studio. After two years as a Core Fellow, I worked for Devin Burgess, a glass Resident Artist at Penland, who has had a profound influence on me. I then attended VCU for graduate school for glass under Jack Wax. Since school, I’ve had the pleasure of working with a lot of talented people, Pablo Soto being among them.
I’ve been lucky enough to have several residencies; the OCAC photo residency, Pilchuck EAiR for glass, and the STARworks glass residency, where I have really tried to push my work. Teaching has also become an important part of my practice. I was thrilled to teach at Corning Museum of Glass this year, where I will return in 2018. I’m also teaching at Sawtooth School for Visual Art, Appalachian Center for Craft, and Urban Glass in 2018.
My production work is made under the name Little Dipper Studio, which I started in 2014. My line employs a retro color palette, vintage inspiration, and considers both form and function. Hand blown, simplistic shapes with attention to detail is the basis for all the work that comes out of Little Dipper Studio.
My main partner in crime, in life, and in the studio is Nick Fruin. We collaborate, teach together, and act as sounding boards for the other. I owe so much of my sanity to Nick. He is unbelievably talented and has a very kind heart.