We had the good fortune of connecting with Jason Chakravarty and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jason, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
The more I have become more involved in the community of glass, the more I realize the commitment. I live through my work. It is the best way I have found to still enjoy things outside of my work. The balance is realized after traveling a chunk of the world through work/art.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a glass artist that makes sculptural objects. The objects are almost entirely nonfunctional and decorative. My approach to art typically originates from an idea or narrative. Often this is a response to something that is happening around me or reflective of a significant place traveled. As a creator, the freedom to balance making what you want vs what will sell in hopes that it will sell and repeat the cycle took many years. My path was one step at a time. The climb has been slow and steady and as a result when I get knocked back it is easier to recover. Diversifying my practice to accommodate various styles and price points has helped. Being a full time artist is not easy and requires endless hours, self discipline and a persistence that does not exist in a career or a job that has a daily structure with predictable goals and tasks.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Definitely host some out of town artists who are visiting AZ for the first time. When I brag to people from about AZ and Phoenix specifically, beyond the perfect weather 9ish months out of the year, its the local food particularly the tacos(huicho, gallo or chiwas). People are surprised when I brag about the quality and diversity of food. Probably mix in a hike or four. Hit the Clarendon hotel pool after. From a work standpoint, a trip to SMOCA to see the James Turrell outdoor installation and the Therman Statum glass house. Practical Art and Made Gallery has the best variety of local crafts. Studio visits include Circle 6 Studios, SW Art Glass and Mesa Arts Center. My favorite part of AZ is being outside soaking up (non summmer) sun.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Jennifer Caldwell is my life partner, my muse and whom I collaborate with on all the work I make. Cheech is our French bulldog who reminds us of life outside of work.

Website: www.jasonchakravarty.com www.jcsquared.shop www.jennifercaldwell.net
Instagram: jcsquared.shop
Facebook: jcsquared

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