Orient & Flume Artists
William Carter
Glass artist William Carter is fascinated by the idea of hot, molten glass being manipulated to form art pieces that, when finished, end up so cool and smooth to the touch. He has a special talent for torchworking, or the application of designs on hot glass using a hand torch to melt colored glass canes. Most of his designs are drawn from nature, often including flowers and foliage.
William is a native of Chico, California. His parents were educators. His mother and aunts were painters, so early on he gained an appreciation of art and artists. His father was a teacher with much free time in summer. His family spent many summers in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Chico where William learned to appreciate nature and the rich history of the area. He attended Chico schools and graduated from Pleasant Valley High School. William went on to receive degrees in business, accounting and computer science from Butte College.
William is a “hands on” person and craftsman. While at Butte College he took ceramics and enjoyed throwing utilitarian vessels on the potter’s wheel. After college, William worked in construction, welding and metal engraving.
Employed by Orient and Flume in 1987, William began by working as assistant to glass artist Lee Hudin. Of the many talented artists at Orient and Flume, he was particularly influenced by Ed Alexander, David Smallhouse, Lee Hudin and Greg Held, all who were very helpful in teaching him the various skills used by the studio.
Today, William often collaborates with Orient and Flume artist Chris Sherwin in the design and production of vases and paperweights. Their Pink Spider Orchid and Acorn vases have proven to be very popular.
Away from Orient and Flume, William enjoys spending time with his family, watching his two daughters participate in sporting events and target shooting.