Lotton Glass

Jerry Heer created distinctive hand-blown art glass as part of the Lotton Glass tradition, a family of artists known for richly colored, one-of-a-kind glass created entirely by hand.

Founded by Charles Lotton in 1970, Lotton Glass became known not only for the artistry of its finished pieces, but also for an unusually hands-on approach to the glass itself. Rather than relying entirely on commercially prepared glass, the studio developed many of its own formulas using raw materials such as silica sand, soda ash, lime, borax, zinc, and metallic compounds. These carefully developed formulas helped produce the remarkable depth, iridescence, and range of color that have become hallmarks of Lotton glass.

Working with blown glass requires an extraordinary combination of artistry, technical knowledge, timing, and physical skill. Glass is heated until it becomes a glowing, molten material that can be gathered onto the end of a blowpipe. While constantly turning the pipe to keep the softened glass centered, the artist introduces air and uses heat, gravity, hand tools, and carefully controlled movements to gradually shape the piece.

Color and decorative effects must be incorporated while the glass is still hot. Layers may be added, stretched, twisted, pulled, or manipulated to create flowing patterns that become part of the glass itself. The artist has only a limited working time before the glass cools and stiffens, so every movement must be both deliberate and instinctive. Once the form is complete, the finished piece must be slowly cooled in an annealing kiln to relieve internal stress and strengthen the glass.

Within this demanding medium, Jerry Heer developed beautifully expressive work that included paperweights, perfume bottles, vessels, and other studio glass pieces. His designs often feature sweeping vines, hearts, rich layers of color, and shimmering iridescent surfaces that change character as the piece is turned in the light.

Like the other artists associated with Lotton Glass, Jerry brought his own artistic voice to a studio already celebrated for color and experimentation. Because each piece is individually formed at the furnace, variations in shape, pattern, color placement, and movement are part of its character. No two pieces emerge exactly alike.

Jerry eventually retired from glassmaking because of back problems, making the pieces he created during his working years a finite body of work. Today, his signed Lotton Glass pieces continue to appear in collections and on the secondary market, preserving his place within the history of this remarkable American glassmaking family.

At Arts&Souls, we are pleased to continue offering select examples of Jerry Heer’s work — pieces that demonstrate both the demanding craft of hand-blown glass and the individual creativity of the artist behind them.