Studio History

Diana Wendt founded Blue Dog Glass Art in 1995, naming her studio after her dog, a blue Neapolitan mastiff called “Sumo”. She was especially drawn to the ancient method of "kiln-fired" glass forming; a 5000 year old process which predates glass blowing and is also known as “fused and slumped” glass.

Artist Bio

Wendt set out to learn kiln-forming from several recognized artists. She has studied with nationally known artists Roger Nachman and Michael Dupille, and international masters Cappy Thompson, Mark Eckstrand and Susan Plum.

She was the first glass artist to be awarded the Pathways Scholarship from Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle, which mentors emerging artists. Wendt was also one of 30 artists selected by the Artists Trust to participate in the first EDGE Professional Development Program for visual arts.

During 17 years as a studio artist/glass instructor, Wendt acquired a style ranging from figurative to architectural with an Asian influence inspired by her Japanese mother, Mary.

In 2007, Diana set aside her studio art to lovingly provide 24/7 care for her ill, elderly mother while continuing to teach for Green River.

Inspiration

After losing the Blue Dog, Sumo in April of 2000 and her beloved mother, Mary in August of 2009; Diana realized how much their pure hearts are the true inspiration in her art:

     “To find [him]/her you must lose [him]/her. The Blue Dog knows the Way”
      (George Rodrique 1994).

 In the spirit of her Blue Dog, and in loving memory of her extraordinary mother; Diana’s recent work continues to evolve, signed as “Sumo D” from the studio of Blue Dog Glass Art, Inc located in Kent, Washington.