Dorian is originally from Shoreline, Washington. At age 18 Dorian began working as a chef in a Bistro in the Key Bank Building in Seattle, Washington. Key Bank has one of the most impressive contemporary glass collections displayed throughout its lobby and balconies. The art work of William Morris, Dale Chihully, Lino Tagliapietra and others were daily inspirations for Dorian on his way to work in the Bistro. Finally after admiring fine masterpieces of glass, he couldn’t take it anymore, and began taking classes in Seattle. He soon built his own torch working studio in his garage, and has been working with glass full-time ever since.
At age 23, he relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia to work as a resident artist in a small glass boutique. Shortly after, he began one of the first glass distribution companies in British Columbia. This led him to the Kootenay Mountains of Central BC, where he bought land, built a house and studio, continued his distribution company and took on two apprentices.
Three years after moving to British Columbia, Dorian felt the need to continue his glass education so he returned to Shoreline. Dorian’s reputation preceded him and the opportunities immediately started pouring in. He spent a year as a resident artist and instructor at Blown Studio in downtown Seattle. Soon, the demand for Dorian’s original designs became so great that he had to work independently full-time. Dorian has since been teaching workshops at a variety of local schools, taken on a new apprentice and has been spending more and more time working with furnace glass.
At age 27, Dorian met the love of his life and moved to Spokane, Washington to be with her. They were married and now have two beautiful daughters. Dorian continued to work from home until he was given the opportunity to blow furnace glass in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.
At age 34, Dorian and his family relocated to Bellingham, Washington where his wife continued her education at WWU. This gave Dorian once again the opportunity to work with other exceptional glass artists.
Dorian’s main artistic goal has been to create art work that is accessible and appropriate for beginning a collection, or adding to an established one. He concentrates on developing high quality designs that are affordable, and functional. One of Dorian’s career goals is to develop collaborations between artists who come from different cultures, and to display these projects in high profile, world-class venues, to help raise awareness and passion for art.