We are going to depart from our usual eMusings practice by focusing entirely on the world of glass. As many of you know I have collected glass for years and have been pushing digital into glass as much as possible - ie, paintings on glass, mirrors, and plexiglass; sculptures in polyethylene; and 3D prints in a translucent flexible polyethylene.

For your pleasure, here are some glass artists that I have found compelling. Note that I have omitted the giants in the field, like Chihuly and Morris: I wanted to introduce you to some lesser-known but very talented artists. This list is by no means exhaustive: I will follow up with more next month and welcome your suggestions.

Ginny Ruffner has been creating glass fantasies for over 40 years, suggestive of narrative and episode. Her pieces roam the world of her imagination, sometimes bringing disparate elements into one scene. Based in Seattle, Ruffner treats us to playful and lively ribbons of life expressed in glass.

Hiroshi Yamano uses blown and sculpted glass to mirror the world of natural forms. He also works with silver leaf engraving and painting to breathe life into his works - look up close at New Scene of Japan #19 to see the exquisite detail he achieves.

Henry Pollitt specializes in unique kiln cast-glass sculptures. His pieces exist as organic shapes in space. Pollitt's background is in engineering and wood sculpture. I find his work to be quite lyrical and sensuous.

Eric Hilton takes a more formal approach to glass. His "Vibration of Life", shown here, is waterjet cut, sandblasted and engraved like some contemporary Egyptian pyramid.

For more than 30 years, Sidnay Hutter has been creating lighting fistures using plate glass that has been cut, drilled, sandblasted and combined with milled aluminum. Some of the works have a strong sense of Art Deco. Each makes a distinct visual statement.

Dorothy Hafner creates multi-layered fused glass panels. She brings a strong sense of graphic design and color vibrancy to what appear to be vertical landscapes encased in metal stands.

Peter Borkovics infuses glass with dynamism and fluidity. There is an element of dance in the movement of these shapes, with their aggressive visual presence.

Michael Behrens works in kiln cast glass which he calls landscapes. Originally from the Netherlands, Behrens speaks of his fascination with the undersea world, reflected in his titling some of them Sea Forms.

K. William Lequier makes glass sculptures that also remind me of sea life, with their writhing, wiggling shapes. I find pieces like Euphoria particularly fascinating.

Thaddeus Wolfe works with more block-like structures and brings an interesting color sensitivity to their patterning. He calls his works Assemblages and destroys each plaster silica mold.

Shelley Muzylowski Allen has brought the animal world into her glass sculptures, particularly horses and deer. Her background as a painter adds depth and intrigue to the glass medium.

c. Corinne Whitaker 2017