Nathan Miers, better known as N8, is an Evergreen-based glassblower whose artistry transports us to the far reaches of the universe. His journey into the heady glass world started in Olympia, Washington in 2002, where he was pursuing a degree in graphic design. However, after experiencing burnout from hours of staring at a computer screen, fate intervened when he stumbled upon a local glassblower. From the moment he touched the glass, he knew he had found his calling. Despite struggling to find the right setup and equipment, including torches and a proper kiln, N8 persevered and forged ahead, becoming a true master of his craft.
N8’s art is a journey through the cosmos, a mesmerizing exploration of the vastness of space. While his inspiration primarily comes from the stars, he’s also found that the most unexpected things on earth can spark his creativity. As he once said, “sometimes even a pile of logs can inspire an entirely new series of murrine.” Murrine, an advanced glass technique that he utilizes heavily in his work, allows him to layer together rods of different colored glass to create intricate designs. The finished product, which is sliced into multiple cross-sections, reveals a stunning pattern within. By combining techniques like murrine and fume, N8 brings the universe to life through his heady glass art, featuring breathtaking spacescapes filled with galaxies, moons, and even the occasional UFO.
There are many techniques that N8 excels at, but it’s murrine making that has captured his heart and imagination. He is a true perfectionist at heart and loves using the lathe to push shapes and designs further with a level of precision that cannot be achieved by hand. While he’s crushing out heaters in the studio, N8 immerses himself in a world of inspiration, listening to music and podcasts, watching movies and documentaries, all of which feed his creative mind and inspire his next masterpiece.
N8’s glass art is not just awe-inspiring, but it also serves a deeper purpose. It awakens our childlike curiosity and encourages us to look up at the universe, which we still know so little about. His pieces inspire us to explore, discover and create our own unique and inspiring worlds. N8 believes that pushing oneself to create inspiring work is crucial, and he encourages fellow artists to do the same. He reminds us to stay true to ourselves, give credit where it’s due, and never stop learning. In the words of N8, “Follow your heart, but don’t lose your mind.”
If you’re interested in keeping up with N8’s work, be sure to follow him on Instagram at www.instagram.com/nathan_miers. With his ever-evolving creative process and a dedication to inspiring others, it’s exciting to see what other beautiful and inspiring pieces N8 will create in the future.
