Alan Masaoka is a glass artist. He does commissioned architectural stained glass, and glass artwork. We had neighboring studios when I was in Carmel Valley. Well, actually, my studio was in the alley behind his. I would direct people to my studio by first asking if they knew their way to his. As often as not they did, so I'd tell them to just walk through his studio, out his back door, then up the stairs to mine. Why not give 'em the scenic route?
They'd usually linger in his space and maybe even buy something because Alan has a public retail gallery (there's a photo at his website) where you can always find beautiful handmade glass vases, paperweights, lamps, fascinating marbles and other interesting glass items. It's all much too nice to rush through.
Alan's style is distinctive. It's an uncanny combination of dramatic and serene and intricate and simple all at once. And it always adds up to elegant and classy. His website has portfolios of commissioned projects and art pieces, studio calendar, and contact info:
13766 Center Street, Suite G-2
Carmel Valley, CA 93924
Phone: (831) 659-4953
Fax: (831) 659-3156
email: masaoka@mbay.net
P.S. Being in the alley had it's advantages. When I needed a break (or couldn't get myself going), I could distract myself by sitting at the top of the stairs and watching the glass blowing demonstrations or always interesting workaday activities of Alan and his staff at the kiln. Who's says alleys don't have a view?
